--- title: Facing the Challenges of Weighing Immobile Patients description: Obtaining accurate weight measurements is crucial, as a patient’s body weight is a critical measure for calculating the appropriate dosage of medications. image: https://blog.cmecorp.com/hubfs/HOM_Weighing%20Immobile%20Patients.png --- - Welcome! - [Sign In](https://www.cmecorp.com/customer/account/login/referer/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY21lY29ycC5jb20v/) - or - [Create an Account](https://www.cmecorp.com/customer/account/create/) - [![](https://www.cmecorp.com/media/public/icons8-phone-50.png) 800.338.2372](tel:8003382372) [![CME Corp](https://blog.cmecorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CME_CORP_LOGO_FIN_2018_PMS_300dpi-1.png?width=1331&height=442&name=CME_CORP_LOGO_FIN_2018_PMS_300dpi-1.png "CME Corp")](http://www.cmecorp.com) [Find My Account Manager](https://www.cmecorp.com/about/contact-us.html) | [Contact Us](https://www.cmecorp.com/about/contact-us.html) Search: ![](https://blog.cmecorp.com/hubfs/_images/search-icon.jpg) [![](https://blog.cmecorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/_images/mini-cart.jpg?width=23&height=21&name=mini-cart.jpg)](http://www.cmecorp.com/checkout/cart/) - [CME Expertise](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise.html) - [Hospitals / IDNs](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/hospitals.html) - [Laboratory](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/laboratory.html) - [Imaging](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/imaging.html) - [Pharmacy & Compounding Pharmacy](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/pharmacy-and-compounding-pharmacy.html) - [Surgery Centers](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/surgery-centers.html) - [Clinics](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/clinics.html) - [Physician Offices](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/physician-offices.html) - [Behavioral Health Facilities](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/behavioral-health.html) - [Long Term Care](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/long-term-care.html) - [Rehabilitation Centers](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/rehabilitation.html) - [Government Services](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/government.html) - [Emergency Medical Services](https://www.cmecorp.com/cme-expertise/emergency-medical-services.html) - [Integrated Services](https://www.cmecorp.com/integrated-services.html) - [CAD-Based Layout & Design](https://www.cmecorp.com/integrated-services/cad-based-layout-and-design.html) - [Project Management](https://www.cmecorp.com/integrated-services/project-management.html) - [Direct-to-Site Services](https://www.cmecorp.com/integrated-services/direct-to-site-services.html) - [Biomedical Services & Technical Solutions](https://www.cmecorp.com/integrated-services/biomedical-services.html) - [Contractor Specialties](https://www.cmecorp.com/integrated-services/contractor-specialties.html) - [Find Products](https://www.cmecorp.com/shop.html) - [Shop By Category](https://www.cmecorp.com/new-shop/shop-by-category.html) - [Shop By Manufacturer](https://www.cmecorp.com/new-shop/brands.html) - [Digital Solutions Guide](https://cmesolutionsguide.com/) # Facing the Challenges of Weighing Immobile Patients [![weighing immobile patients with the Health O Meter patient transfer scale](https://blog.cmecorp.com/hubfs/HOM_Weighing%20Immobile%20Patients.png)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/facing-the-challenges-of-weighing-immobile-patients) By [Health o meter®](https://blog.cmecorp.com/author/health-o-meter) | November 13, 2020 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Acquiring a critical or immobile patient’s weight is not easy. It takes time and disrupts clinical workflow. Despite the difficulties in obtaining weight measurements, a patient’s body weight is a critical measurement in calculating the appropriate dosage of life-saving drugs. In addition to providing patients with the proper drug dosage, drugs need to be administered quickly as in some cases - every minute is a factor in a patient’s outcome.  Faster treatment is also a goal of Process Improvement teams, as hospitals across the country are focused on shortening door-to-needle times to meet the American Heart Association 2020 credentialing guidelines, and to be designated as a “Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus” certified institution.  ## The Three most Commonly-Used weighing methods Currently, the three most commonly used options for weighing time-critical, immobile patients are weighing beds, hoist scales, and estimation.  However, these methods are problematic as they are difficult to use, time-consuming, inaccurate, and uncomfortable for the patient. Typically most emergency rooms or stroke centers will weigh immobile patients using a stretcher or a bed with a weighing scale inside of it.  This is not a reliable solution; weighing beds are not always available, as they are often in use or have been moved. Clinicians are not confident in the use of weighing beds as they can be inaccurate due to not being calibrated regularly or properly zeroed before use.  In some instances, using a weighing bed can increase the number of patient transfers.  In the case of an immobile stroke patient, the patient is transferred from an EMS stretcher to a weighing bed and then over to a CT scanner.  This extra transfer is a risk to the patient’s safety and a burden on staff’s physical health.  Lastly, weighing beds can be very expensive, costing over $15,000 in many cases. Another less common option to weigh immobile patients is to use a hoist scale.  Hoist scales lift patients from a bed to obtain a weight measurement.  These scales are not a popular choice as they are difficult to use and time-consuming, as well as being uncomfortable and stressful for the patient. Obtaining a weight using a hoist often involves several steps to set up the scale and properly position the patient, and as previously stated, these patients need to be treated quickly as every minute counts. A third method used to obtain the weight measurement of an immobile patient is estimation. Staff can estimate weight by what is told to them by the patient or by a visual estimate. But estimation is **not** accurate and can be **very** dangerous when weight is used to determine drug dosing. The drugs commonly used in the ICU are dosed based on precise patient weight, and an over- or underestimated weight measurement can lead to fatal drug levels or inadequate treatment. *Weight estimation should only be considered as a last resort when time is critical to providing life-saving treatment.* It is evident that a more efficient and accurate method of weighing immobile patients would provide better patient outcomes, enhance workflow, and reduce the burden on staff.       ## How to ensure safety, accuracy, & Efficiency As a leading manufacturer in the healthcare market, Health o meter® Professional Scales focuses on developing and introducing healthcare products that can make marked improvements on patient care and outcomes. To help healthcare facilities overcome the challenges of weighing immobile patients, Health o meter® Professional Scales now offers the [Patient Transfer Scale](https://www.cmecorp.com/health-o-meter-pts-1000kl-patient-transfer-scale-lb-kg.html?utm_source=category&utm_medium=site). The new PTS-1000KL is an innovative piece of equipment that combines a transfer board with a weighing scale inside, allowing clinicians to quickly and accurately weigh immobile patients without changing their workflow.  This easy-to-use scale can not only be quickly zeroed for immediate use, but it is also always available using its convenient wall-hanging stowing system, and it decreases the number of patient transfers. All departments in the hospital can benefit from the Patient Transfer Scale, particularly Stroke Units, the Emergency Room, ICU, and Radiology. In addition to the practical benefits, the Patient Transfer Scale is also an effective cost-saving alternative to other weighing options.  To learn more about the Patient Transfer Scale, contact your CME Account Manager. CME has partnered with Health o meter® to offer a broad portfolio of their digital and specialty scales. Your dedicated CME representative is trained to understand your needs and to help you find the best solution. Contact us today to discuss how we can assist you in your weighing protocols. --- **About CME:** CME Corp is the nation’s premier source for [healthcare equipment](https://www.cmecorp.com/solutions/capital-equipment.html?utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cme%20insiders), [turnkey logistics](https://www.cmecorp.com/solutions/direct-to-site-services.html?utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cme%20insiders), and [biomedical services](https://www.cmecorp.com/solutions/biomedical-services.html?utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cme%20insiders), representing 2 million+ products from more than 2,000 manufacturers. With two corporate offices and 35+ service centers, our mission is to help [healthcare facilities](https://www.cmecorp.com/who-we-serve.html?utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=cme%20insiders) nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment specification, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate and expand on schedule. **About Health o Meter Inc.:**  Since 1919, Health o meter® Professional has provided the medical community with high quality, innovative digital and mechanical healthcare scales. Health o meter® scales are designed with healthcare professionals in mind, to offer functionality that best serves their needs. Explore their products and learn more about product lines, EMR connectivity solutions and professional advantages. Health o meter® is dedicated to providing medical professionals with the best weighing scales. [scales](https://blog.cmecorp.com/topic/scales) [Health o Meter](https://blog.cmecorp.com/topic/health-o-meter) Written by [Health o meter®](https://blog.cmecorp.com/author/health-o-meter) For over 100 years, Health o meter® Professional Scales has provided the healthcare market with quality products, ### Posts by Tag - [June 2017 (14)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/06) - [October 2017 (8)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/10) - [September 2023 (8)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/09) - [November 2015 (7)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2015/11) - [December 2015 (7)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2015/12) - [July 2017 (7)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/07) - [September 2017 (7)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/09) - [November 2017 (7)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/11) - [October 2023 (7)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/10) - [August 2026 (7)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2026/08) - [August 2014 (6)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2014/08) - [June 2016 (6)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2016/06) - [February 2018 (6)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2018/02) - [April 2018 (6)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2018/04) - [May 2018 (6)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2018/05) - [August 2025 (6)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/08) - [July 2014 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2014/07) - [September 2014 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2014/09) - [January 2017 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/01) - [December 2017 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/12) - [November 2021 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2021/11) - [June 2023 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/06) - [August 2023 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/08) - [November 2023 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/11) - [January 2024 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/01) - [April 2024 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/04) - [August 2024 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/08) - [October 2024 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/10) - [January 2025 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/01) - [April 2025 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/04) - [May 2025 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/05) - [July 2025 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/07) - [September 2025 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/09) - [April 2026 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2026/04) - [June 2026 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2026/06) - [September 2026 (5)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2026/09) - [June 2014 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2014/06) - [December 2014 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2014/12) - [April 2015 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2015/04) - [May 2016 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2016/05) - [December 2016 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2016/12) - [February 2017 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/02) - [May 2020 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/05) - [March 2021 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2021/03) - [April 2021 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2021/04) - [May 2021 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2021/05) - [September 2021 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2021/09) - [August 2022 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2022/08) - [April 2023 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/04) - [May 2023 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/05) - [July 2023 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/07) - [December 2023 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/12) - [February 2024 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/02) - [March 2024 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/03) - [May 2024 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/05) - [June 2024 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/06) - [July 2024 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/07) - [September 2024 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/09) - [December 2024 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/12) - [February 2025 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/02) - [March 2025 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/03) - [June 2025 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/06) - [October 2025 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/10) - [November 2025 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/11) - [December 2025 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2025/12) - [January 2026 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2026/01) - [February 2026 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2026/02) - [March 2026 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2026/03) - [May 2026 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2026/05) - [July 2026 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2026/07) - [October 2026 (4)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2026/10) - [March 2014 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2014/03) - [April 2014 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2014/04) - [May 2014 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2014/05) - [May 2015 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2015/05) - [September 2015 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2015/09) - [October 2015 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2015/10) - [January 2016 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2016/01) - [April 2017 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/04) - [January 2018 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2018/01) - [July 2018 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2018/07) - [March 2019 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2019/03) - [June 2019 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2019/06) - [March 2020 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/03) - [June 2021 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2021/06) - [July 2021 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2021/07) - [March 2022 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2022/03) - [May 2022 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2022/05) - [June 2022 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2022/06) - [September 2022 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2022/09) - [November 2022 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2022/11) - [February 2023 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/02) - [November 2024 (3)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2024/11) - [October 2014 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2014/10) - [January 2015 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2015/01) - [July 2015 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2015/07) - [August 2015 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2015/08) - [February 2016 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2016/02) - [March 2016 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2016/03) - [November 2016 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2016/11) - [May 2017 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/05) - [August 2017 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/08) - [March 2018 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2018/03) - [July 2019 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2019/07) - [January 2020 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/01) - [February 2020 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/02) - [August 2020 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/08) - [September 2020 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/09) - [October 2020 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/10) - [February 2021 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2021/02) - [August 2021 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2021/08) - [October 2021 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2021/10) - [January 2022 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2022/01) - [April 2022 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2022/04) - [January 2023 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/01) - [March 2023 (2)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2023/03) - [November 2014 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2014/11) - [February 2015 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2015/02) - [March 2015 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2015/03) - [April 2016 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2016/04) - [July 2016 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2016/07) - [August 2016 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2016/08) - [September 2016 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2016/09) - [March 2017 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2017/03) - [August 2018 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2018/08) - [September 2018 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2018/09) - [October 2018 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2018/10) - [January 2019 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2019/01) - [April 2019 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2019/04) - [April 2020 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/04) - [June 2020 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/06) - [July 2020 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/07) - [November 2020 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/11) - [December 2020 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2020/12) - [July 2022 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2022/07) - [October 2022 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2022/10) - [December 2022 (1)](https://blog.cmecorp.com/archive/2022/12) See all #### About CME Corp. - [Our Company](https://www.cmecorp.com/about/our-company.html) - [Careers](https://www.cmecorp.com/about/careers.html) #### Resources - [CME Insider's Blog](https://blog.cmecorp.com/) - [Case Studies](https://www.cmecorp.com/about/case-studies.html) - [Newsroom](https://blog.cmecorp.com/press-releases) - [Literature Resources](https://resources.cmecorp.com/) #### Quick Links - [Find Products](https://www.cmecorp.com/shop) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.cmecorp.com/privacy-policy-cookie-restriction-mode) - [Sales, Shipping & Return Policies](https://www.cmecorp.com/sales-shipping) - [Credit Application](https://www.cmecorp.com/about/credit-application.html) [![](https://www.cmecorp.com/media/public/linked_in_blog.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cme-medical/) [![](https://www.cmecorp.com/media/public/facebook_blog.png)](https://www.facebook.com/cmecorp/) [![](https://www.cmecorp.com/media/public/instagram_blog.png)](https://www.instagram.com/cme_corp/) © 2026 CME Corp - An ESOP Company Delivering a Better Experience