Patient Mobility: Transfer Techniques

Summary

This video demonstrates various techniques for assisting patients in standing, walking, and transferring from bed to chair, focusing on proper use of a walker. It explains how to adjust the walker's height, safely help patients stand using gait belts, and transfer them between bed and chair with minimal or maximum assistance. It also covers the importance of maintaining proper posture, balance, and patient safety during mobility, highlighting the crucial role of patient movement in recovery, even within a hospital setting.

Takeaways

• 🛏️ Encourage patients to mobilize out of bed whenever possible, even if it's just sitting in a chair.
• 🚶‍♂️ Proper fitting of a walker is crucial for patient support and balance during ambulation.
• 📏 The optimal height of a walker should be at wrist level, allowing for a slight bend in the elbows for better posture and balance.
• ⚠️ Incorrect walker height (too high or too low) can compromise patient stability and posture.
• 🦽 Sit-to-stand transfers involve helping patients sit on the edge of the bed with their feet flat on the floor and applying a gait belt.
• 🦶 Always maintain a wide base of support while assisting patients to prevent injury to yourself and the patient.
• 🛋️ To transfer a patient from bed to chair using a walker, position the walker properly and guide them while they turn and sit safely.
• 👥 Two-person assistance is sometimes necessary for patients who need extra help standing and transferring safely.
• ♿ Squat pivot transfers are used for patients who cannot use a walker, and involve stabilizing the patient by interlocking shins.
• 🏥 Maintaining patient mobility during hospital stays is crucial for their recovery and overall well-being.

Q & A

What is the primary goal when mobilizing patients out of bed?

The primary goal is to encourage mobility as much as possible, even if it's as simple as sitting in a chair instead of staying in bed, to promote patient recovery.

How should the walker be adjusted to the correct height for the patient?

The walker should be adjusted so that the handles are at the same level as the patient's wrists when they stand straight, allowing for a slight bend in the elbows when using the walker.

What are the risks of having a walker too high or too low?

If the walker is too high, the patient's elbows will be bent too much, making it harder to use. If it's too low, the patient will have to hunch over, affecting their balance and posture.

What is the correct procedure for adjusting the walker’s height?

To adjust the walker's height, depress the button on the legs and slide them up or down until the button reappears in the desired hole. Ensure all four legs are at the same height and the button is properly sticking out to prevent collapse.

What positioning should the patient be in before attempting to stand with a walker?

The patient should be seated at the edge of the bed with their feet flat on the floor, knees bent at 90 degrees or slightly more, and the walker should be directly in front of them.

How should you assist a patient to stand with a walker?

Stand to the side of the patient, hold the walker in place with one hand, and use the other to grasp the gait belt while the patient leans forward and pushes up from the bed or side rails.

What are the key points to ensure a safe transfer from bed to chair for a patient with minimal assistance?

Guide the patient using the gait belt, position the walker close to the chair, and ensure the patient reaches back for the armrests of the chair before sitting, using a wide base of support to assist the descent.

What should be done if the patient is too low in the bed after sitting on the edge?

Assist the patient with lateral scoots toward the head of the bed by having them push into the bed with their hands, supporting them from the gait belt as they scoot upward.

How should two-person assistance be performed when helping a patient stand and transfer to a chair?

Each healthcare worker stands on either side of the patient with a wide base of support. One worker holds the walker in place while both assist from the gait belt, guiding the patient to stand and move safely into the chair.

What technique should be used for a patient requiring a squat pivot transfer?

In a squat pivot transfer, interlock your shin with the patient’s, lean the patient into your shoulder, and use the gait belt to lift and pivot the patient into the chair. For heavier assistance, a second person can aid in the movement.