Essential features
Bailey Medical Center is an accredited facility of the Metabolic and
Bariatric Surgery Quality Improvement Program and we've been pro-
viding bariatric services for years, but the volume of procedures has
increased, sending even more patients with higher BMIs to us for sur-
gical care. In order for us to safely care for all of our heavier patients,
we needed to upgrade the table in at least one of our ORs.
The table we replaced held up to 500 pounds, but when it was artic-
ulated into various positions or taken off center, it could not support
more than 400 pounds, depending on the position of the bed. We
needed a table that could hold our heaviest patients in whatever posi-
tion was required for the procedure at hand.
We trialed 3 different tables, assessing the usability and the level of
safety each provided patients and staff. Although originally we
believed we would stick with the manufacturer of the tables we
already owned, the user-friendly design, safety features, and price we
were able to negotiate, led to a switch.
We settled on the new table in part because it rated for the highest
weight capacity: 1,200 pounds when the surface is centered and 1,000
pounds when it's articulated in various positions. That was key to our
decision. The table gave us the most confidence in our ability to safely
care for our patients, no matter how much they weigh. It also came
with a pair of 5-inch-wide side extensions that widen the surface area,
another nice feature that adds to the support and comfort of obese
patients.
The table's surface rotates 210 degrees on the pedestal stand. That
versatility and time-saving feature lets us use the table for many spe-
cialties besides bariatric procedures — and helped us justify the pur-
chase. The table's handheld remote that staff members use for hands-
free positioning of the surface is intuitive and very durable, which is
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