BF2S Forums The future is here - Megambulances

A FLEET of supersized truck-ambulances is being formed to cope with a growing number of morbidly obese patients who are too big to fit into the standard vehicles.
SA Ambulance Services is looking to buy a second Bariatric Response Vehicle (BRV) - which can carry loads up to half a tonne - after seeing a 2000 per cent increase in its use in just over a decade.

When the BRV was first bought in 1998 it was only used about 10 times a year.

It now hits the road about 200 times a year to collect morbidly obese people all over the state, with its heaviest patient to date weighing 347kg.

Manager of patient services Dean Clarke said SA Ambulances wanted to buy a second BRV to meet demand in rural areas, with many obese patients too heavy for air lifting.

"We are looking to get a second on the road as Queensland currently has four and New South Wales has eight," he said.

With a total carrying capacity of 500kg, the BRV - a colossal five-tonne Mercedes 518 Sprinter - has more than double the lifting capacity of the standard Mercedes 318 Sprinter ambulance's 228kg.

It is also double the cost, at $240,000 compared to $120,000 for the standard 318.

Its unique features include a self-loading mega-lift stretcher which can carry up to 500kg, specialist wheelchairs that can handle 220kg and inflatable "hover mats" with a carrying capacity of one tonne, described by Mr Clarke as being a "bit like the air jacks that are used to lift four-wheel-drives".

Mr Clarke said the supersized BRVs required a specialist team to operate them, with paramedics having to obtain truck licenses to drive them and undertake additional training in "heavy lifting".

He said patients that previously had to be transported by fire department trucks now had a safe and dignified mode of transport thanks to the BRV, which has also reduced the incidence of paramedic injury.

"Since the introduction of this type of ambulance transport in 1998, we've only had two lost-time injuries due to sustained shoulder and back injuries," he said.

"So, from that point of view, the Government and our executive board can see the value in bringing in the right equipment.

"And, in terms of the patients, it is very important to maintain patient dignity."

Australian Medical Association SA President Andrew Lavender said obesity was a chronic disease with sufferers facing serious issues such as premature arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, renal disease and sleep apnoea. "It is an increasingly serious problem as we have experienced a significant increase in obesity in the community over 30 years," he said.

Last edited by Dilbert_X (2010-11-21 03:38:55)