Caring for the Critically Ill Obese Patient: Challenges and Opportunities. (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Winfield, Robert D.
• Is Part Of: Nutrition in clinical practice. Volume 29:Number 6(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 747
• Page End: 750
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: obesity -- critical illness -- intensive care; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; Artificial feeding -- Periodicals; 615.854
• DOI: 10.1177/0884533614553234
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0884-5336

Abstract

Obesity remains a challenging public health problem. The anatomic and physiologic complexities of obese patients make their healthcare challenging under routine circumstances, but in the setting of critical illness, these challenges are magnified. This review explores some of the unique difficulties that critical care providers face when caring for the obese patient and highlights areas in which future research is needed to provide optimal care.