Building on its reputation as the market leader in bariatric treatment couches and chairs, Suffolk-based Plinth 2000 has launched its Model 50G Bariatric Gynaecology Chair, with the first batch already shipped to a new hospital in Australia and early enquiries coming from the UK and Ireland.
Obesity was recently described as ‘the new smoking’ in terms of its impact on health, by the chief executive of NHS England; and Plinth 2000 is dedicating considerable in-house design and engineering resources to upgrading its clinical-grade equipment for handling a new generation of morbidly-obese patients.
According to a report by the Centre for Maternal & Child Enquiries (CMACE), obesity is arguably the biggest challenge facing maternity services, with one in five of pregnant women in the UK clinically obese. Yet the same report describes the availability of appropriate equipment as ‘generally inadequate’, adding that the majority of equipment in maternity units did not even have the minimum safe working load of 250kg as recommended by CMACE and Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists joint guidelines.
Plinth 2000’s regular Model 93 Gynaecology Chair complies with this 250kg safe working load requirement, but its latest Model 50G Bariatric Gynae Chair has a higher 320kg (50 stone) SWL rating, with a wider 78cm seat cushion and backrest and substantial cot sides and arm supports, to accommodate even super-morbidly obese pregnant mothers in comfort and safety. Soon to be launched is an entirely new column-lift model, which will allow both Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg tilt actions, the latter mode additionally facilitating respiration in obese patients.
The new Model 50 bariatric gynae examination chair has uprated electronic height adjustment, able to lift overweight and obese patients up to 320kg, from its lowest working height of 56cm, for ease of access, to its upper level of 104cm. There is also motorised backrest adjustment from 0° to 90° and electric Trendelenburg tilt operation, together allowing for optimum positioning of patients for gynaecological and colposcopy procedures. A convenient hand control is supplied as standard, with the option of a hands-free footswitch. The chair also automatically reclines to a fully-horizontal position, for patient recovery in emergency situations.
Hardwearing, antimicrobial and flame retardant vinyl upholstery, suitable for cleaning and disinfecting with proprietary solutions, provides excellent levels of hygiene, wear-resistance and durability, in a range of 18 colours. Heavy-duty foam ensures prolonged comfort, while adjustable, contoured leg supports provide stability during examination and clinical procedures. Reinforced bearings, robust retractable castors and a heavy-duty twin-lift frame design add to the bariatric credentials. Battery back-up, an adjustable neck cushion, seat extension and paper roll holder are also provided as standard, making this a great value package.
“With our new bariatric gynae chair, gone are the challenges of handling morbidly-obese maternity patients,” saids Plinth 2000 MD, Niall Dyer.
“The functional modular design and attractive upholstery colours mean it will fit right into any maternity unit or clinic and, of course, the chair is still suitable for regular patients.”
Given its heavy duty applications, it is reassuring to note that Plinth 2000’s bariatric gynae chair is backed by an unrivalled lifetime warranty on the frame mechanism and no-quibble unconditional five-year guarantee on all components, including accidental damage other than upholstery.