Current Challenges of Caring for the Critically Ill Patient With Severe Obesity: A Multidisciplinary Perspective

Concurrent Session Moderator(s)

• JL

  Jong Lee, MD, FACS, FCCM

  Professor of Surgery
  University of Texas Medical Branch
  League City, Texas

  Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.

Managing morbidly obese patients in the ICU can be challenging, especially for perioperative patients such as those undergoing bariatric, trauma, and emergency surgery. This session will focus on challenges in caring for these patients, including common pitfalls encountered in standard ICU procedures (airway management, device installation and use, differences in ventilator management), variations in pharmacotherapy (adjusted dosing of commonly used medications, thromboprophylaxis, parenteral nutrition), and unique nursing challenges (wound care, mobilization, pressure ulcer prevention). Speakers will also discuss ICU outcomes of morbidly obese patients and compare them to the general population.

Presentations:

• Pitfalls and Common Errors in Airway Management in the ICU Patient With Severe Obesity
  

  Concurrent Session Faculty: Samuel M. Galvagno, Jr., DO, MS, PhD, FCCM – University of Maryland School of Medicine
• The Safe Insertion, Use, and Maintenance of Devices in ICU Patients With Severe Obesity
  

  Concurrent Session Faculty: Sara Hennessy, MD – UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Adjustments in Pharmacotherapy for Critically Ill Patients With Severe Obesity
  

  Concurrent Session Faculty: Bethany Shoulders, BCCCP, BS, PharmD – University of Florida Health
• Doing the Heavy Lifting: Nursing Challenges and Tips for the Successful Care of Patients With Severe Obesity
  

  Concurrent Session Faculty: Jose Chavez, DNP – Cedars Sinai Medical Center
• Variations in Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Prescription in the ICU Patient With Severe Obesity
  

  Concurrent Session Faculty: Shelby Yaceczko – University of California Los Angeles