Caregiving Tip: Safe Patient Transfers | Part 1
In this post we will share helpful tips on Chair or Wheelchair to Bed Transfer. Check back next week for Bed to Bed/Gurney Transfer
While in hospice our patients receive comfort cares, and this may include transferring our patient from a bed to a chair, wheelchair, commode, different bed and vise versa. Knowing what kind of help the patient will need during these transfers will prevent injury or harm to yourself and the patient. If transfers are not completed correctly, you are putting the patient and yourself in danger of serious injury or harm!
How to prepare for the transfer
Read the care plan
Gather safety equipment needed
Talk with the patient about the transfer
Determine patient’s dominant or strongest side
Position the patient for the transfer
Why is this important?
To know how previous transfers went.
To make sure you have the equipment or support needed
To identify any possible changes since last transfer
The patient can help a bit more if needed
To be ergonomically prepared for the physical transfer
Ergonomics
Maintain a wide, stable base with your feet.
Put the bed at the correct height (waist level when providing care; hip level when moving a patient.)
Try to keep the work directly in front of you to avoid rotating the spine.
Keep the patient as close to your body as possible to minimize reaching.
Chair/Wheelchair to Bed Transfer:
Position the wheelchair directly next to the surface (bed, toilet, tub bench, car, sofa, etc.). A slight angle of 30-45 degrees is helpful but not absolutely necessary.
Lock the wheelchair brakes and move the footrests out of the way of the feet. The armrest on the side you will be transferring to can also be moved out of the way if desired.
Always talk to the person being transferred so that assistance is being given at the appropriate time, allowing for coordination of efforts.
Gait/transfer belt should be placed securely.
Move person's bottom to the front of the surface they are sitting on so that the feet are in firm contact with the floor.
If needed, assistance can be given to block the person's knees to provide additional support for weight bearing.
To complete the transfer, the person should lean forward over their feet, use their hands to push from the surface they are sitting on, swing their bottom around to the adjacent surface and slowly sit back down.