Obese patients on the Intensive Care unit : Implications for nursing

The prevalence of obesity, defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) C30 kg/m2, reaches epidemic proportions. It is not only a risk factor for health problems, but also exacerbates illness progression. Consequently, the number of obese patients on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has increased enormously. Caring for obese patients can be quite challenging due to the weight and size of this person. The extent of and specific problems associated to the care of obese ICU patients are unknown. The aim of this study is to identify and quantify problems nurses face in caring for obese patients on the ICU.