Transfers and Lifts

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Transfers and LiftsTips for nurses and caregivers

Friday, June 3, 2011



Safety First

• Staff injuries can occur with a single poortransfer or with repeated improper liftingand transfer techniques

• Ergonomically safe transfers benefitpatients and staff

• Patient function is often variable and a brief

assessment must precede each transferFriday, June 3, 2011



Assessment

• Patients are assessedby PT/OT on admission

• Transfer instructions are written on a greensheet which is posted on the patient’sbedside bulletin board

• Transfer and mobility status is enteredunder “ORDERS” in the patient’s electronicrecord




Transfersand Lifts

• Transfers are done when a patient canstand on at least one leg while maintainingadequate trunk control in an uprightposition

• A transfer can sometimes be done with asliding board if a patient cannot stand

• All lifts should be done with a mechanicaldevice




Assess for variables that

may change transfer status

• Fatigue, pain, change in medical status

• Hypotension

• Infection and delirium

• Anxiety and other cognitive factors

• Staff experience and physical ability




Standing Pivot Transfer




* Never lift a patient under their shoulder* Always transfer toward the strongest side




Transfer with walker




Remove the wheelchair if possible once the patient is

standing to allow more room to turn with the walker.Friday, June 3, 2011



Sliding Board Transfers

Place board securely under patient’s hipFriday, June 3, 2011



Encourage patient to use arms to lift body acrossthe sliding board to decrease shear forces on skin




• Encourage patient to push up from arms of wheelchair or commode and then grab wall

bars as they turn around.

Commode Transfers




• The commode can be placed behind apatient while they stand from a wheelchairand hold the bed rail for support




Transfer BeltsTransfer belts can be usedto improve control of the

patient’s trunk and pelvis instanding. The belt must betight enough that it does

not ride up to the chest.The velcro closure is at thefront and the looped gripsare at the sides and back.




Transfer Disks

Transfer disks allow staff to rotate a standing patient who hasdifficulty moving their feet. Place your hands below the patient’s waist

and turn them toward the bed or chair.

Take care when standing the patient on the moveable disk.Friday, June 3, 2011



If you have concerns about your ability to do any thesetransfers please contact the occupational

therapist or physiotherapist on your unit or consult the

Occupational Health department.Friday, June 3, 2011



This presentation is an initiative of Unit Quality Council

Grand River Terrace 3Freeport Health Centre© 2011

Unit Quality Council Members

Lindsay Bodden, Stephanie Boettcher, June Tomins, Tricia Looser, Nancy Pilgrim,Helen Dickson, Joanne Walsh, Marg Wilson, Sheryl Millson, Katie Moese, Ruth Kinzie

Photos, text and design by Ruth Kinzie

Transfers and Lifts

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