Medical Justification Letter - 385 Bariatric Commode Shower Chair
Published: 19 August 2008
More than just a wider seat!
Handling Bariatric (obese) patients in healthcare facilities and hospitals has become a serious problem, and has created unique care-management issues for all care staff. Most manufacturers of bariatric seating equipment have addressed the issue by re-creating their standard sized products with a wider seat and sturdier frame. At Broda, we have done exhaustive research into the issues that make Bariatric patient handling and seating such a challenge. The new Broda Bari 385 Tilt and Recline Commode Shower Chair is more than just a wider seat! It meets the challenges!
| The Issues | The Challenges | The Results |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Capacity | Provide safe and durable equipment for bariatric patients. | Bari 385 exceeds ANSI Standards with tested capacity of 800 lbs. Heavy Duty reinforced stainless steel frame and high capacity wheels ensure safety, durability, and low maintenance. |
| Commode and shower function | Accommodate bariatric patients’ commode and shower needs. | Full function commode chair that can be used in the shower. Open front commode seat facilitates peri cleaning. Recline positioning opens mid-section of patient to permit showering of hard-toreach areas under tummy and in perineal area. |
| Overall size / dimensions | Design to permit use through most doorways. Accommodate patients at both lower and upper ends of bariatric sizes (280 to 800 lbs.) | Adjustable width of armrests facilitate variations in overall chair width, and width between armrests to accommodate patients of a variety of sizes. Use of 8” stainless steel wheels located under the chair reduce overall chair width compared to wheelchair style wheels mounted externally. |
| Maneuverability | Design a chair that can handle patients up to 800 lbs. yet still be maneuvered and driven by caregivers. | Unique 6-wheel design with “Mid-wheel drive” position of main drive wheels permits central turning radius, and sure tracking. |
| Patient handling | Design a chair that can handle patients up to 800 lbs. yet still permit repositioning and handling of patient. | Tilt and Recline cylinders of various force are provided and can be interchanged depending on weight of patient for ease of use by caregivers. Anterior tilt feature works as stand-assist. Removable armrests facilitate transfers. |
| Comfort | Provide comfort for bariatric patients. | Fully adjustable Tilt and Recline positioning allows for re-positioning for comfort and pressure relief. Padded commode seat and Broda’s Comfort Tension Seating™ on the backrest provide comfortable seating surfaces. Adjustable supportive flip-down footrest. Padded headrest for support when reclined. |
| Safety | Provide safety for bariatric patients and their caregivers. | Unique 6-wheel design ensures safety and contact even on uneven shower floor surfaces, and ease of maneuverability to minimize risk of strain type injuries. Emergency hand and/or foot operated mid-wheel brakes prevent chair from getting out of control, plus individual brakes on 4 external wheels hold chair securely in place. Tilt and recline positioning provides safety for patients. Patient weight is always within chair wheelbase for stability. |
| Bariatric patient Ergonomics | Bariatric patients have a unique body shape and require specialized support. | Accommodation of variety of shapes and sizes from 280 to 800 lbs.: - Adjustable width between armrests 27” or 33”; - Adjustable seat depth, 21” or 23”; - Adjustable seat height, 21” or 23” - Unique concave lower back design to accommodate patients with “Gluteal Shelf” |
Summary of Unique Features
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 800 lbs weight capacity | Allows a bariatric patient to leave their bed for commode & shower needs |
| Posterior Tilt Positioning - 14° | Patient comfort, pressure relief, security and safety. |
| Anterior Tilt Positioning - 8° | Assist weight-bearing patients getting in and out of chair. |
| Recline Positioning - 65° | Allows showering and cleaning of hard to reach areas under abdomen. |
| Adjustable width between armrests | Accommodate patients of various widths; narrower overall chair width. |
| Adjustable seat depth | Accommodate patients of various sizes; more accessible commode pan. |
| Adjustable seat height | Accommodate patients of various sizes; facilitate transfers of tall patients. |
| Removable padded seat open front | Comfort; easy to clean; facilitates better use by males; Peri cleaning. |
| Removable Armrests | Facilitate lateral transfers; removing permits use by oversized patients. |
| Adjustable and removable footrest | Accommodate patients of various heights; provide solid foot support. |
| Elevating legrest | Patient comfort; circulation. |
| Concave lower back shape | Accommodate patient with Gluteal Shelf; positions patient back over pan. |
| 6 wheels with large mid-wheels | Maneuverability; stability on uneven surfaces; narrower overall chair width |
| Emergency mid-wheel brake | Safety; prevents chair from getting out of control or rolling into caregivers. |
| Removable pan and basket | Easy emptying and cleaning. |
| Heavy-duty steel frame | No rust; strength; durability; drain holes minimize leakage in rooms |
| Interchanging gas spring cylinders | Facilitate operation of tilt & recline on full range of bariatric sized patients. |
| Comfort Tension Seating | Vinyl straps offer comfortable contoured back, pressure relief; EZ clean. |