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Setup As with any transfer, the environment must to be set up appropriately beforehand for successful completion. Transfers between level surfaces tend to be easier to perform. To perform a true pivot transfer, the two surfaces should be adjacent to each other so that no steps need to be taken. The floor should be dry and clear of obstacles to prevent slips and trips.
Specializing in Research on Spinal Cord Injury, Brain Injury and Multiple Sclerosis Transferring to and from a wheelchair is one of the essential skills a wheelchair user will learn. Whether they transfer themselves or transfer with the help of a caregiver, it’s vital to understand the safest techniques and the equipment available to make the process safer and easier. Transferring between a wheelchair and a bed is risky if done incorrectly, and is a common cause of falls and injury. In this article, we’re going to
look at some of the equipment that is available to wheelchair users and caregivers, before outlining how to prepare for a transfer and four of the most popular transfer techniques. Whether a wheelchair user needs any equipment at all depends on their strength, their mobility, and whether they can support their weight without assistance. Transfer equipment reduces the risk of a fall and makes it
easier for wheelchair users and caregivers to quickly and safely complete a transfer. Other equipment may be useful for particular transfer techniques, and we’ll introduce it when we discuss those techniques. Before attempting a transfer to or from a wheelchair, it’s essential to be prepared. Poor preparation increases the risk that something will go wrong during a transfer, resulting in a slip, fall, or injury to the caregiver. If you are helping to transfer someone from a hospital bed to a wheelchair, begin with an assessment of their strength and mobility. Identify which is the dominant or strongest side of their body. Ideally, the
transfer should be attempted with the chair on the wheelchair users’ dominant side. They will be able to give you more assistance as you help them to move. Ensure that nothing is obstructing the floor between the bed and the wheelchair. Trip hazards should be moved to one side or picked up. Even something as seemingly innocuous as a slipper or paper towel can present a substantial risk. Next, ensure that the wheelchair is locked in place using its brakes. The wheelchair should be a stable platform and should not be able to move during the transfer. Also, the wheelchair’s footrests should be in the upright position so that the user’s feet can get as close as possible to the seat without becoming tangled. Finally, if you’re helping someone move, explain to them what’s going to happen and the technique that you will use to transfer them. They should understand the process so they can help you with the transfer as much as possible. Four Wheelchair to Bed Transfer TechniquesWe will discuss four transfer techniques, beginning with self-transfer techniques and then techniques caregivers can use to help wheelchair users transfer safely. Self-Transfer With Gravity AssistThis technique is best for wheelchair users with substantial upper body strength or some ability to support themselves on their legs. We will discuss moving from the bed to the wheelchair, but the reverse process is similar.
Self-Transfer With Transfer BoardA transfer board helps wheelchair users slide from the bed to the seat of their wheelchair. With a transfer board, there is no point during the transfer when the body is unsupported. This technique is better for wheelchair users who do not have sufficient upper body strength to lift and move without support.
Assisted Transfers (Stand and Pivot)Assisted transfers, also known as stand and pivot or a pivot transfer, take advantage of the strength and stability of a caregiver to aide the wheelchair user as they transfer. Assisted transfers are useful when the wheelchair users can move partially with support from a caregiver.
Lift TransfersFor patients with minimal mobility, a patient lift—also known as a patient hoist, Hoyer lift, or a hydraulic lift—may be necessary. Patient lifts feature a sling attached to a gantry. The sling with the patient in it is lifted with hydraulics or electric motors, allowing caregivers to transfer the wheelchair user from the bed to the wheelchair without manual lifting. The use of patient lifts is more complicated than the other transfers we’ve discussed and they require professional training, so we won’t give a full outline here. As you can see from the techniques we’ve discussed, a home hospital bed plays a vital role in safely moving from bed to wheelchair and back again. Height-adjustable home hospital beds significantly reduce the risk of a transfer. Hospital bed mattresses with border-edge protection make it safer and easier to transfer yourself or a patient. When we founded Transfer Master almost 30 years ago, we named the company because of how a well-designed home hospital bed can assist with patient and self-transfers. We believe everyone should have a safe and dignified process for getting in and out of bed every day, which is why our entire home hospital bed lineup has been engineered with transfers in mind. To learn more about home hospital beds and mattresses, contact our hospital bed experts today. Learn More About Transfer Master Hospital BedsThere are many options for hospital beds. Start here to have your questions answered, to learn more about hospital beds, or to see the options that can be added to your hospital bed to make it even better. Frequently Asked Questions Hospital Bed Options Hospital Bed Terminology Where should the wheelchair be placed when transferring a stroke patient?Safe Transfer Techniques. Explain the procedure to the person.. Place the wheelchair or chair the person is going to sit in parallel to the bed so that it is touching the bed and faces either the head or foot of the bed. ... . Lock the wheelchair and bed in place and make sure the person has non-skid footwear on both feet.. What are the steps for transferring a patient from a bed or chair to a wheelchair?Position and lock the wheelchair close to the bed. Remove the armrest nearest to the bed, and swing away both leg rests. Help the patient turn onto his or her side, facing the wheelchair. Put an arm under the patient's neck with your hand supporting the shoulder blade; put your other hand under the knees.
Where should the chair be placed when transferring a resident with an affected right side from the bed to a chair?Transfer process:
Move the chair to the side of the bed near the feet, on the strong side if the person has a weakened side; the chair should be parallel to the bed, but angled slightly out with the front wheel snug against the bed. If it is a wheelchair lock it; be sure to lock both wheels.
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