Contributions from the the RBC Foundation and Dauphin Hospital Foundation have allowed the Dauphin Regional Health Centre to add two bariatric wheelchairs to its repertoire and to continue in its role as a bariatric care centre, Prairie Mountain Health announced.
According to PMH, he RBC Foundation contributed $10,0000 which was used to buy one of the wheelchairs and some remaining funds went towards staff education and training for bariatric lift and care resources. Bariatric wheelchairs are larger, heavy-duty wheelchairs designed to accommodate loads of as much as 700 pounds for people dealing obesity or other metabolic concerns.
“We are extremely pleased with RBC Foundation’s contribution to our bariatric care initiative as we continue to focus on patient-centered care at Dauphin Regional Health Centre,” said Jeanette Logan, Prairie Mountain Health Manager of Health Services – Regional Therapy Services. “By enhancing our health centre to be conducive for care for people of all sizes, a full scope of specialized equipment will allow for improved patient flow and support for bariatric patients that have mobility difficulties.”
“We are also very fortunate to continue to be supported by the Dauphin Hospital Foundation who purchased the second wheelchair for us. The Dauphin Hospital Foundation has stepped forward on many initiatives and equipment purchases that have continued to benefit programs and services within our health centre, for which remain grateful,” she added.
PMH also said they plan to move forward with a bariatric care site at Dauphin Regional Health Centre, and have already made some renovations and changes including the installation of ceiling track lifts and accessible door widths in renovated patient rooms on medicine, a bariatric accessible room in the Emergency Department, and bariatric parallel bars in the therapy gym.
