Lifting and Moving Patients - SCFR: About

CHAPTER 5

Lifting and Moving

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Moving Patients

Lifting Techniques

Back injuries are a leading cause of long-term disability for EMTs.

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Lift safely.

Lifting Considerations

Consider the weight of object/

patient.

Communicate with partner.

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Identify the need for help before

lifting.

Have a plan.

Use your legs to lift.

Have feet positioned properly.

Keep weight close to body.

Guidelines for Lifting

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Keep weight close to body.

Lift without twisting.

Use legs, not back, to lift.Use legs, not back, to lift.

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Keep weight close to your body.Keep weight close to your body.

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

PowerPower--LiftLiftPositionPosition

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

PowerPower--GripGrip

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Keep your back locked in.

Avoid twisting while reaching.

Avoid reaching more than 15-20

Safe Reaching Techniques

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

inches in front of your body.

Safe Pushing and Pulling

Push, rather than pull.

Keep your back locked in

(whenever possible).

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Keep weight close to your

body.

Safe Pushing and Pulling

Keep your knees bent.

Avoid pushing or pulling overhead.

Keep elbows bent and arms close

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Keep elbows bent and arms close

to sides.

If weight is below waist level, push

or pull from a kneeling position.

Types ofTypes ofMovesMoves

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

MovesMoves

Emergency Moves

Scene is hazardous.

Life-threatening condition requires

move.

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

move.

Patient must be moved to reach a

critical patient.

Emergency Move:Emergency Move: Clothes DragClothes Drag

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Emergency Move: Emergency Move: Incline Drag (HeadIncline Drag (Head--First)First)

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Emergency Emergency Move: Move: Firefighter’sFirefighter’sDragDrag

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Emergency Emergency Move:Move:Firefighter’s Firefighter’s CarryCarry

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Emergency Emergency Move: Move: OneOne--Rescuer Rescuer AssistAssist

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Emergency Emergency Move:Move:TwoTwo--Rescuer Rescuer AssistAssist

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Urgent Moves

Scene factors cause a decline in

patient condition.

Treatment of patient’s condition

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

requires a move.

Urgent Move with Spinal PrecautionsUrgent Move with Spinal Precautions

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Non-Urgent Moves

Use when there is no threat to life.

Use when patient’s condition

allows for assessment and care.

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Typically utilize a carrying device.

NonNon--Urgent Urgent Move:Move:Extremity CarryExtremity Carry

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

PatientPatient--Carrying Carrying DevicesDevices

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Wheeled Ambulance StretcherWheeled Ambulance Stretcher

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Portable StretcherPortable Stretcher

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Stair ChairStair Chair

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Long Spine BoardLong Spine Board

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Patient Immobilized on Long Spine BoardPatient Immobilized on Long Spine Board

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Short Spine BoardShort Spine Board

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

VestVest--Type Extrication DeviceType Extrication Device

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Patient Immobilized in Vest-TypeExtrication Device

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Scoop (Orthopedic) StretcherScoop (Orthopedic) Stretcher

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Basket (Stokes) StretcherBasket (Stokes) Stretcher

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Flexible (Reeves) StretcherFlexible (Reeves) Stretcher

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Moving Patients toMoving Patients toCarrying DevicesCarrying Devices

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Carrying Device Choice

What is the patient’s position?

Is there a suspected spinal cord

injury?

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Patient Positioning

Part of patient care plan

Must not cause harm to patient

Must be safe

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Must be safe

Recovery PositionRecovery PositionUnconscious Patient without Spinal Injury

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Position of ComfortPosition of Comfort

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Shock PositionShock PositionPatient without Spinal Injury

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Transferring the Transferring the Patient to a Patient to a

Hospital StretcherHospital Stretcher

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© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Hospital StretcherHospital Stretcher

Position stretcher.Position stretcher.

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Pull sheet under patient taut.Pull sheet under patient taut.

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Slide patient to hospital stretcher.Slide patient to hospital stretcher.

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Be sure patient is centered. Raise side rail.Be sure patient is centered. Raise side rail.

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

1. Describe the principles of safe

lifting.

2. Differentiate between emergency,

Review Questions

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

2. Differentiate between emergency,

urgent, and non-urgent moves.

Give example of each.

3. List several patient-carrying

devices. Describe a use for each.

4. Describe several patient positions.

Review Questions

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

4. Describe several patient positions.

What device should be used to

STREET SCENESSTREET SCENES

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

remove the patient from the vehicle?

What patient-care issues are important when using an extrication device?

What is the next thing to consider when actually moving the patient

STREET SCENESSTREET SCENES

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

when actually moving the patient from the vehicle?

What emergency-care equipment was used for this patient? Why?

What is the next step before moving this patient again?

STREET SCENESSTREET SCENES

Limmer et al., Emergency Care Update, 10th Edition

© 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

this patient again?

What other safety considerations should be considered when moving the long board to the wheeled stretcher?