With 33.8 percent of Americans now considered obese, a 2010 survey showed that one-third of U.S. hospitals had made or planned to make renovations to accommodate obese patients, according to a Minnesota Public Radio report.
The renovations include:
- Installing patient lifts so that hospital workers do not get back injuries.
- Replacing wall-mounted toilets with floor-mounted ones.
- Reinforcing sinks to support a heavier patient leaning on them.
- Buying stronger stretchers for patients weighing up to 750 pounds.
- Widening doorways.
- Installing motorized power drivers on wheelchairs to help staff push patients.
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