Personal Scales are treated the same when being sold but the following will show what is important and why some patient scales are more usable than others
1. Looking at the style of scale
If the scale is easily moved to the patient and there are significant supports for the patient to hold themselves during weighing, then an upright stand on scale is the best alternative. Very few patients will ever need a chair scale.
2. What to look for in a patient scale?
a. Firstly the height of the actual weigh plate. The lower the plate the smaller the trip hazard. 45mm or lower is optimum
b. Having angles approaches instead of a step also reduces the trip hazard substantially. The safer the patient feels the better
c. The size of the plate is exceptionally important especially with people who are unstable. A large pan allows for more security whilst standing.
d. Hand rails for support are also needed even for the fit patients. On many personal weighing scales it’s easy to be/feel unbalanced.
e. Many patients need to be weight next to their bed so a scale that is easily moved increases the scales usability.
3. Value for money
A scale that can be used in a ward as a standard scale but is also capable of bariatric use is the best value for money
See our Bariatric Scales.
