1. The median spending on expenses related to treatment of severely obese patients in 2007 was $82,500.
2. Sixty-eight percent of responding facilities spent more in 2007 than in 2006.
3. Admission of severely obese patients is up: 52 percent of responding facilities have seen a slight increase in admissions of severely obese patients since 2006; 20 percent say they’ve seen a significant increase.
4. Department with the most obese patients: 30 percent of respondents said they see the most obese patients in the surgical department, making it the leading single department.
5. The median estimated cost of obesity-related renovations is $100,000; 28 percent of facilities have invested in renovations to accommodate obese patients.
6. More than half of respondents have bariatric surgery programs: 51 percent have programs, and 55 percent of those are accredited as Centers of Excellence.
7. Beds account for the highest spending or the greatest increase in spending. Eighty-nine percent of respondents report renting beds, and 77 percent purchased stretchers. Sixty-seven percent report buying each of patient lifts and transfer devices, and 60 percent bought durable medical equipment related to care of obese patients.
8. ER capabilities: 90 percent of responding facilities indicate that their emergency rooms are equipped to handle obese patients.
9. Injury report: 38 percent of responding facilities have seen increases in workplace injuries related to caring for severely obese patients.
10. Training for dealing with severely obese patients: 85 percent of responding facilities have offered training for their staff regarding special procedures for dealing with severely patients, and 59 percent of those report decreases in workplace injuries as a result of purchasing equipment of offering training programs.
Download the 2008 Bariatric Supplies Survey Market Research Report.
