Making Space for All Body Sizes in Pre-, Peri-, and Post-natal Care in Atlantic Canada

A Patient-Informed Hospital Equipment Inventory

Authors

  • Rachel Waugh Mount Saint Vincent University; IWK Health
  • Maxine Bernard
  • Megan Gray
  • Raashsni Chandrasekar
  • Vanessa DeClercq
  • Jillian Coolen
  • Barbara Hamilton-Hinch
  • Erna Snelgrove-Clarke
  • Shannan Grant

Keywords:

weight, mass, obesity, fat, women, bariatric equipment, clinical practice guidelines

Abstract

Background: Diverse, versatile, and readily accessible equipment is essential for healthcare provision, to maximize care quality, minimize complications, and eliminate weight stigma and discrimination. Hospital equipment inventories (inventories) and audits can be completed by internal or external reviewers and are not always publicly available or subject to peer review, despite hospitals receiving significant public funding for care and research. Objective: The objective of this research was to complete an inventory audit to identify, count, and describe (type, weight capacity) bariatric equipment in nine units/ clinics in the Women’s Building of a maternal-newborn hospital in Atlantic Canada. Methods: Six registered nurses completed inventories using a standardized form, including type and weight capacity of all bariatric equipment, in 2018 and 2021, at nine units/clinic sites within an urban maternal-newborn tertiary care facility in Atlantic Canada. Results: The inventory audits conducted in 2018 and 2021 show that additional bariatric beds, stretchers, and blood pressure cuffs were purchased. Nonetheless, findings agree with existing peer-reviewed literature that show bariatric equipment is lacking in Canadian tertiary care settings. Conclusion: The objective of this project was met, confirming an increase in the availability of specific bariatric inventory between 2018 and 2021; however, the current availability and amount of bariatric equipment is not adequate. This quality improvement initiative highlights a strength of local clinician-researcher efforts, relationships, and engagement with patient-centred implementation science. 

Author Biographies

  • Rachel Waugh, Mount Saint Vincent University; IWK Health

    Rachel Waugh is a Registered Dietitian and an Interdisciplinary PhD Student at the University of Victoria. Her research interests include weight stigma, women’s health, healthcare provider education and training, and health equity.

  • Maxine Bernard

    Maxine Bernard, RNC, BScN, MHS, is the Clinical Leader of Development (CLD/Clinical Educator) in the Birth Unit at IWK Health in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is a Fetal Health Surveillance Instructor, NRP, BLS and ACLS Instructor, and an active member on the CAPWHN Clinical Practice Committee (CPC). Her work primarily includes creating and implementing staff orientation and ongoing education, policy development and implementation, as well as development and implementation of quality initiatives. 

  • Megan Gray

    Megan Gray is a PhD in Health Candidate at Dalhousie University and Registered Dietitian with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dietetics. Her research focuses on using implementation science methodologies to improve the care of pregnant people and their infants during conception, pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum periods. 

  • Raashsni Chandrasekar

    Raashsni Chandrasekar holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition from Mount Saint Vincent University and works in Research Data Management, supporting the collection, validation, and analysis of study data. Originally from Malaysia, they view food as an essential part of culture and have always been interested in connecting culture, diet, and health.

  • Vanessa DeClercq

    Vanessa DeClercq, PhD, is a Research Associate and Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Pharmacology and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University. Her research interests include nutrition, healthy aging, chronic disease prevention, biomarker discovery, and human-microbial interactions.

  • Jillian Coolen

    Jillian Coolen (she/her) is an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University and a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist at IWK Health, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.  Dr. Coolen’s clinical expertise includes diabetes in pregnancy and fetal ultrasound but her passion is medical education. Outside of her academic practice, Dr. Coolen enjoys exploring the outdoors, practising yoga, and playing basketball.

  • Barbara Hamilton-Hinch

    Barbara-Ann Hamilton-Hinch, is a Professor in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University in the faculty of Health and the Assistant Vice-Provost Equity and Inclusion. Her research exams the structural, institutional, and systemic racism and oppression that exists for populations that have been marginalized but particularly people of African descent. Her work looks closely at the social determinants of health and crosses all disciplines from education to health to justice. Barb identifies as an 8th generation African Nova Scotian and is the first African Nova Scotian to graduate with a PhD from Dalhousie University.

  • Erna Snelgrove-Clarke

    Erna Snelgrove-Clarke is a Professor in the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University. Her research focuses on Implementation Science and Women’s Health. She is interesting is how evidence is used, or not used, amongst providers in health care and the person centred approach to caring for others.

  • Shannan Grant

    Shannan Grant is an adjunct professor in the Department of Women’s Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University and in Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is especially proud of her work with The Alexa McDonough Institute for Women, Gender and Social Justice, and Atlantis: Critical Studies in Gender, Culture & Social Justice. She is also an affiliate scientist at IWK, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where she continues to engage in practice-based research, and education.

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2026-04-29

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Vol. 47 No. 1 (2026): “Healing is an Act of Communion”: Critical Perspectives on Women’s Health, Wellness, and Disease

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Copyright (c) 2026 Rachel Waugh, Maxine Bernard, Megan Gray, Raashsni Chandrasekar, Vanessa DeClercq, Jillian Coolen, Barbara Hamilton-Hinch, Erna Snelgrove-Clarke, Shannan Grant

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