Emergency rescue XXL : Morbidly obese patient in the emergency medical service

Obesity in Germany is becoming more and more prevalent. Significantly overweight patients (>200 kg) pose an increasing and difficult challenge for emergency medical services, emergency doctors and the hospitals responsible for further treatment. The anatomic and physiological characteristics of patients with extreme obesity must be taken into consideration, particularly the airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure and environment of the patient. Furthermore special preparations for medical supplies, concepts and strategies for transport and further treatment in hospital are required. Suitable equipment and coordinated processes are essential for both the safety of the persons involved and the patient's dignity. It is, however, a fact that many organizations and hospitals are poorly prepared for this challenge as the complete infrastructure of a hospital has to be adapted. Emergency transport in a bed should be avoided. Neighboring rescue services must be alarmed at an early stage if the commune concerned does not have adequate means of its own. Politics should guarantee cost-covering remuneration for hospitals and rescue services. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.