Hospitals and health care institutions in northern Illinois now are acquiring heavy-duty equipment to accommodate overweight patients.

All fields of medicine are impacted by America’s growth in girth. Hospitals now are attempting to utilize equipment designed for obese patients.

Everything from oversized beds and gurneys to larger blood pressure cuffs are being ordered from special retailers nationwide, such as Baron Health Care Services of America.

The increase in America’s waistline has been well documented in the media, and local health care is starting to react. Kishwaukee Community Hospital currently rents oversized beds from Hill-Rom Company Inc. based out of Batesville, Ind.

Hospital supervisor Greg Moen said oversized beds are the only immediate need for area hospitals, since the beds are only used four to five times a year.

The DeKalb Fire Department also possesses its share of special equipment for fire emergencies involving larger victims.

The equipment falls under the categories of “soft” and “hard” lifting devices for the firefighters to transport victims out of buildings and into waiting ambulances.

Fire Chief Lanny Russell insists all patients are treated with care and respect, regardless of weight, and that a safe transportation for both the victim and the rescuers is the key.

Each firefighter is trained specifically to deal with any emergency situation that should arise. Additional personnel will help with the extraction of the victim if the situation calls for it, Russell said.

Kishwaukee Community Hospital also remains confident in its current facilities and equipment, Moen said. Extreme measures such as widening doorways seem expensive and unnecessary as of now, he added.