Challenges that nurses face in caring for morbidly obese patients in the acute care setting

Despite increasing numbers of morbidly obese patients admitted to acute care facilities for surgery or treatment of nonsurgical conditions, there is little evidence of the problems nurses face in providing care to these patients. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the care of these patients is more demanding than the care of nonobese patients. The objective of this study was to describe nurses' perceptions of the challenges that they face when caring for morbidly obese patients.

Focus groups of nurses from a tertiary care facility were convened. A trained facilitator posed questions to the group concerning various aspects of care for morbidly obese patients. Comments of respondents were categorized using NVIVO software.

Nurses reported concerns about the increased staffing needs required for care of these patients and the particular challenges of the physical care. Concerns also included the availability, placement, and use of specialized equipment. Room size and the absence of some equipment were also problematic. Finally, nurses perceived safety issues, both for themselves and their patients.

Morbidly obese patients in the acute care setting require specialized nursing care in terms of techniques, levels of staffing required, and the use of specialized equipment.