Ormskirk and District General Hospital - Paediatric Weighing Scales

The Accident & Emergency Unit at Ormskirk District General Hospital treats 18,000 children each year, from birth to age 18. All children must be weighed on admission to the unit, both to ensure appropriate levels of drugs are administered and to check growth and progress.

At present the ward has one stand-on scale, which is perfectly acceptable for older, mobile children who can walk to the scale and stand on it. However, if a child is too young, too ill or disabled then at present staff must ask a parent to stand on the scale with the child, and then be weighed separately. The difference is then deducted and the weight taken from that. The existing scale is also non-digital, so the reading is not as accurate. This can be vital when treating tiny babies, as a small difference in weight can have a big impact on the quantity of drugs required.

This method, although it does give the weight, is wholly inappropriate, as it slows down the care, can be inaccurate and more importantly can be painful for the child. It is common in a casualty unit to have older children with broken legs. If a child is too old to be carried, the only solution is for a child to be helped to the scale and asked to stand unsupported. It can be very distressing for parents to have to lift a child who is in great pain.

We have been asked to provide three paediatric weighing scales, to ensure that whatever the age or condition of the child the correct equipment is available. One is a sitting down model, for children unable to stand. One is a stand-on scale for the triage room which is much more accurate with a digital display, and the third is a portable baby scale for babies and toddlers who cannot sit or stand.

The combined cost of the two items is £1,514.00. These scales will speed up treatment and improve the comfort of children suffering from injury or illness.