BARIATRIC PATIENTS: PERFORMING A LATERAL TRANSFER

Course overview

Lateral transfer of a bariatric patient (i.e., a morbidly obese individual; a person who is overweight by > 100¿200 lb, whose body mass index [BMI] is > 40 kg/m2, or whose total weight is > 300 lb) consists of moving or assisting the supine patient in moving from one parallel surface to another such as from a bed to a stretcher. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of performing the lateral transfer of bariatric patients, including the use of assistive equipment, factors that must be considered when transferring a bariatric patient, and methods for promoting safety of the patient and healthcare providers during the transfer. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.