Chapter 3. Safe Patient Handling, Positioning, and Transfers Show Transfers are defined as moving a patient from one flat surface to another, such as from a bed to a stretcher (Perry et al., 2014). Types of hospital transfers include bed to stretcher, bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to chair, and wheelchair to toilet, and vice versa. Patient Transfer from Bed to StretcherA bed to stretcher transfer requires a minimum of three to four people, depending on the size of the patient and the size and strength of the health care providers. Patients who require this type of transfer are generally immobile or acutely ill and may be unable to assist with the transfer. Checklist 29 shows the steps for moving patients laterally from one surface to another. Checklist 29: Moving a Patient from Bed to Stretcher
Take this Lateral Transfer Sliding Board course for more information on sliding board transfer. Transfer from Bed to WheelchairPatients often need assistance when moving from a bed to a wheelchair. A patient must be cooperative and predictable, able to bear weight on both legs and take small steps. If any of these criteria are not met, a two-person transfer or mechanical lift is recommended. Always complete a patient risk assessment prior to all patient-handling activities. See Checklist 30 for the steps to transfer a patient from the bed to the wheelchair (PHSA, 2010). Checklist 30: Bed to Wheelchair Transfer
Special considerations:
Video 3.6Take this Standing Step Around Transfer course to learn the method for a bed to wheelchair transfer.
How would you transfer a person to or from a wheelchair?Put one of your knees between the person's knees. Hold the gait belt or its handles. Slowly slide the patient across the board to the wheelchair. Ask the person to help by pushing his or her palms on the board and moving towards the wheelchair.
When transferring a resident from bed into a wheelchair where should the wheelchair be placed?2. Place wheelchair on resident's unaffected side. Brace firmly against side of bed with wheels locked and foot rests out of way.
|