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Follow these steps to move a patient from bed to a wheelchair. The technique below assumes the patient can stand on at least one leg.
If the patient cannot use his or her leg, you will need to use a lift to transfer the patient.
Alternate NamesPivot turn; Transfer bed to wheelchair
PreparationThink through the steps before you act and get help if you need it. If you are not able to support the patient by yourself, you could injure yourself and the patient.
Make sure any loose rugs are out of the way to prevent slipping. You may want to put non-skid socks or shoes on the patient's feet if the patient needs to step onto a slippery surface.
- Explain the steps to the patient.
- Place the wheelchair on the same side as the patient's good leg.
- Park the wheelchair next to the bed, close to you.
- Put the brakes on and move the footrests out of the way.
Before transferring into the wheelchair, the patient must be sitting.
- To get the patient into a seated position, roll the patient onto the same side as the wheelchair.
- Allow the patient to sit for a few moments, in case the patient feels dizzy when first sitting up.
- Put one of your arms under the patient's shoulders and one behind their knees. Bend your knees.
- Swing their feet off the edge of the bed and use the momentum to help the patient into a sitting position.
- Move the patient to the edge of the bed and lower the bed so that their feet are touching the ground.
If you have a gait belt, place it on the patient to help you get a grip during the transfer. During the turn, the patient can either hold onto you or reach for the wheelchair.
- Stand as close as you can to the patient, reach around their chest, and lock your hands behind the patient or grab the gait belt.
- Place the patient's outside leg (the one farthest from the wheelchair) between your knees for support. Bend your knees and keep your back straight.
- Count to three and slowly stand up. Use your legs to lift.
- At the same time, the patient should place their hands by their sides and help push off the bed.
- The patient should help support their weight on their good leg during the transfer.
- Pivot towards the wheelchair, moving your feet so your back is aligned with your hips.
- Once the patient's legs are touching the seat of the wheelchair, bend your knees to lower the patient into the seat. At the same time, ask the patient to reach for the wheelchair armrest.
If the patient starts to fall during the transfer, lower them down to the nearest flat surface, bed, chair or floor.
ReferencesBody mechanics and transfer techniques. In: Mills JE, ed. Nursing Practices. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 01/31/2012
Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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How is the patient brought to the operating room?
The patient is brought to the operating room on a wheelchair or bed with wheels
How to correctly transfer patient from bed to wheelchair?
Assuming the person can use their arms. Sit on the edge of the bed, makes sure the brakes ar locked, push down with your arms lifting your butt into the air (even if just relieving pressure) , with arms and turning of the body move butt over to the chair, relax arms. A bridge of some sort may be used, such as a board.
Which tool should be used when transferring a patient from a bed to a wheelchair?
It depends on what degree of help you need! If a patient is able to assist themselves even partially, pivot to a wheelchair. If a patient uses a sliding transfer board, assist the pt to use it. If a patient is too heavy or too ill for a 1 person lift or cannot assist, use a Hoyer lift.
Do you lower the cot sides of bed when moving patient?
yes otherwise the patient will have a pole hitting their back when they are transfered onto another bed, who would want a pole digging into their back?!?!?!
Does Stephen hawking sleep in his wheelchair?
I assume he has a bed, just like anyone else.
What is transferring in medical terms?
It often means getting from one spot to another. For instance, getting from bed to chair, bed to gurney, wheelchair to toilet, wheelchair to driver's seat.
Where can you donate wheelchair and hospital bed?
how and where can i donate a hospital bed in nyc. I need it picked up
What bed would be best for my son/daughter who uses a wheelchair?
A Full Electric Hospital Bed would be ideal.
What is the definition of 'patient bed days'?
A bed-day is a day during which a person is confined to a bed and in which the patient stays overnight in a hospital
When transferring a stoke patient what side do I put the wheelchair on?
Strong side
What can you do to prevent a patient from falling out of bed?
Restrain the patient.
What important safety precautions must be used when transferring client from bed to wheelchair?
The first most important safety precaution is to lock the wheels on the wheelchair.
