Do's
1. Allow patient to do as much for himself as possible.
2. Give only as much assistance as is absolutely necessary.
3. When transferring a patient (even with minimal assistance) always place a belt around his (or her) waist. (Just tight enough for you to get your fingers around it.)
4. Always seek assistance when transferring.
5. Always help the patient on their weaker side (give support on the weaker side).
6. Always lift with your legs, not your back.
7. If you must turn, turn with your feet, not your body.
8. Keep your back low and bowed in while bending over.
9. Keep the weight as close as possible.
10. Bow your back in, and raise up with your head first.
11. Never jerk or twist.
12. Put the weight down by keeping your low back bowed in.
Transferring with Assistance
Minimal Assistance | Maximal Assistance | Two Man Lift | Steps in Lifting from Chair to Bed
Minimal Assistance
Step 1: Stand at patient's weak side. Support weak arm with your hand
and grasp belt at patient's back. Have patient slide
forward to edge of bed before attempting to stand.
Maximal Assistance
Step 1: Place belt around patient's waist. Stand facing patient. Grip
belt with both hands at patient's sides. Slide patient forward
until both feet can be placed flat on the floor.
Step II: Block patient's weak knee with your knee. Tell patient that
you are going to help him stand on the count of 3. Rock
him forward on the first count. Rock again on 2 then on the count on
3 pull him forward and up. Be careful to bend your knees and keep your
back straight to prevent injury to yourself. You may feel more secure if
you allow him to place his arm around your shoulder.
Two Man Lift
If for some reason a patient is unable to bear weight on his legs, it
will be necessary for two people to transfer him in and out of
bed. It is not necessary that the two lifters be big and strong in
order to lift a heavy patient. The lifting is done through proper
mechanical use of the body. If you feel a strain on your back, you
are doing something incorrectly.
Steps in Lifting from Chair to Bed
Step 1: Place a chair at the side of the bed.
Step II: Lifter A stands behind back of the chair and lifter B at the foot of the chair.
Step III: Lifter A folds patient's arms across chest and places his own arms under patient's armpits and grasps patient's arms.
StepIV: Lifter B places one arm under patient's thighs and the other arm around ankles.
Step V: On the count on three lifter B pulls patient's legs away from
the foot of the chair, lifter A straightens knees and leans
back with his body while firmly holding the top of the patient's body
to his chest.
Step VI: When the patient's body is out flat in air, the shift is made
over the arm of the chair to the bed. Lifter B bends his knees and moves
the patient's body slightly in the direction of lifter A, who leans his
body slightly forward and bends his knees thus
lowering patient's body to the bed.
Step VII: Lifter B grasps the patient by the hands while lifter A holds
patient's shoulders and backs slowly away, lowering the
top of the patient's body to the bed.
Steps in Lifting from Bed to Chair:
To get the patient from the bed to the chair, bring him to a sitting position and follow the steps listed above.
References
Sara Sherrill, COTA, Gateway Nursing Home, Interview