Tips To Transfer Your Patient Without Injury

When you take care of a bedridden or disabled person, you may need to transfer them. Transferring is the act of moving a person from one place to another. A transfer can also relieve skin pressure and keep the blood pumping. If a person moves frequently, their risk of developing bedsores and blood clots is reduced. In addition, safe transfer techniques can help you and the person avoid injury and falls.

In this piecework, we will tell you about suitable ways of transferring a patient or an elder, what to do before transferring, and what to do after it.

What to do before you transfer the person?

There are certain precautions that you can take before you begin the process of transferring a patient from one place to another:

Check if the person has any problems.

A transfer can be painful for some patients or elders. There is also the chance of making the pain worse. The patient or elder might require taking their medicine before they begin the transfer. The caregiver needs to check the person’s skin for sores, redness, or other problems. During a transfer, the skin may tear. To protect the skin, you may need to wrap it in a bandage.

Provide extra pillows.

Caregivers can place pillows behind the person to provide comfort and support. They can also put these pillows between the patient’s knees.

Scan the room.

Clear the path of anything that might cause you to trip over during the transfer. Both the caregiver and the patient should wear shoes with nonslip soles. These special shoes can prevent you or the patient from slipping.

Ensure that no equipment will move during the transfer.

Before you move the elder or patient, be sure to lock the wheels of the wheelchair or walker. Make certain that the chair or other objects with wheels do not move when the patient is placed in it.

Secure any medical equipment that may be on or near the person.

Tubes, medicine pumps, and monitors may need to be moved or secured. When you move the person, make sure nothing comes loose or breaks. Remove no equipment from the person unless instructed by the person’s healthcare provider.

How to transfer your patient without injuries?

Now that you have made a safe path to transfer the patient, it is time to move the patient from their bed or chair to another place. Here are some tips for transferring your patient safely and avoiding injuries:

Use the correct form.

As a caregiver, when transferring a patient, it is crucial to protect your lower back. Do not stretch your back or turn at the waist during a transfer. Maintain a straight body posture. Keep your back straight back and your knees bent. Your head and chest should be aligned with your back and up. Maintain a foot width that is slightly wider than your shoulder width. Keep the person’s head, torso, and legs in line during the transfer. Before you move the person, get close to them.

Move the person safely.

Lift the patient with your legs rather than your back. Before making a move, make sure the patient crosses over their arms. This will protect the caregiver and keep the patient’s arm from becoming entangled. Allow the patient to wrap their arms around your neck or back. The person will put too much pressure on you. This can cause back or neck pain for you. Do not grab the person’s arms.

Ask for help.

Request the person to be as cooperative as possible. In this way, you can avoid carrying too much of the person’s weight. If the person is able, ask them to move to the edge of the bed. If necessary, ask someone to assist you in moving the patient. When helping the person stand or move, you and your helpers can count to three together.

Move the person smoothly, avoid sudden movements.

Falls, injuries, and pain can result from sudden changes in position. For example, if you move too quickly or forcefully, you can tear the person’s skin.

Use the appropriate device to assist you in safely transferring the person.

Slide boards, slide sheets, hoists, and transfer belts are examples of equipment. To make paths safer, grab bars can be installed on the walls. These are metal bars that people can grab onto to keep themselves from falling. The bars can also make it easier for the person to stand and sit. The person’s healthcare provider can recommend appropriate devices or equipment.

What to do after you transfer the person?

Now that you have successfully moved the patient or elder to another place, there are several precautions to take to make sure the patient’s safety in their new place:

• Ensure that the patient is comfortable. The patient should not be in a position that restricts blood flow or causes discomfort. After you’ve moved the person to a bed or chair, adjust them in their place. Caregivers might need to add or adjust some pillows. You can change the position of a person in bed by placing a slide sheet beneath them. Allow someone to assist you by standing on the opposite side of the patient’s bed. The slide sheet should be held by each of you at the upper and lower shoulder levels. As needed, adjust the sheet up, down, or to the side to ensure the person’s comfort.
• Make sure the patient sits with their back against the back of the chair. When a patient is in a wheelchair, place their feet and arms on the chair rests.
• Examine all medical equipment to ensure that it is in good working order. Check that any alarms are turned on. Check for any tubes or other equipment that may need to be adjusted following the move.

Caregivers for daily activities near me in Las Vegas

If you live in Las Vegas and require a caregiver to assist with Daily Activities for a family member, the Health and Care Professional Network can help. Since 2006, we have been providing home care services in Las Vegas. For more information or to receive services, please get in touch with us at (702) 871-9917.