When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?

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Moving a patient in bed

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Description

A patient's body may slowly slide when the person is in bed for a long time. The person may ask to be moved up higher for comfort or may need to be moved up so a health care provider can do an exam.

Avoiding Injury

You must move or pull someone up in bed the right way to avoid injuring the patient's shoulders and skin. Using the right method will also help protect your back.

It takes at least 2 people to safely move a patient up in bed.

Friction from rubbing can scrape or tear the person's skin. Common areas at risk for friction are the shoulders, back, buttocks, elbows, and heels.

Never move patients up by grabbing them under their arms and pulling. This can injure their shoulders.

Preparing to Move the Patient

A slide sheet is the best way to prevent friction. If you do not have one, you can make a draw sheet out of a bed sheet folded in half. Follow these steps to prepare the patient:

  • Tell the patient what you are doing.
  • If you can, raise the bed to a level that reduces the strain on your back.
  • Make the bed flat.
  • Roll the patient to one side, then place a half rolled-up slide sheet or draw sheet against the person's back.
  • Roll the patient onto the sheet and spread the sheet out flat under the person.
  • Make sure the head, shoulders, and hips are on the sheet.

Pulling up

The goal is to pull, not lift, the patient toward the head of the bed. The 2 people moving the patient should stand on opposite sides of the bed. To pull the person up both people should:

  • Grab the slide sheet or draw sheet at the patient's upper back and hips on the side of the bed closest to you.
  • Put one foot forward as you prepare to move the patient. Put your weight on your back leg.
  • On the count of three, move the patient by shifting your weight to your front leg and pulling the sheet toward the head of the bed.
  • You may need to do this more than once to get the person in the right position.

If using a slide sheet, make sure to remove it when you are done.

If the patient can help you, ask the patient to:

  • Bring the chin up to the chest and bend the knees. The patient's heels should remain on the bed.
  • Have the patient push with the heels while you pull up.

References

American Red Cross. Assisting with positioning and transferring. In: American Red Cross. American Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training Textbook. 4th ed. American National Red Cross; 2018:chap 11.

Craig M. Essentials of patient care for the sonographer. In: Hagen-Ansert S, ed. Textbook of Diagnostic Sonography. 8th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2018:chap 2.

Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Gonzalez L, Aebersold M. Body mechanics and positioning. In: Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Gonzalez L, Aebersold M, eds. Clinical Nursing Skills: Basic to Advanced Skills. 9th ed. New York, NY: Pearson; 2017:chap 12.

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Review Date: 10/23/2021  

Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?

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06/01/2025

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Chapter 3. Safe Patient Handling, Positioning, and Transfers

Transfers are defined as moving a patient from one flat surface to another, such as from a bed to a stretcher (Perry et al., 2014). Types of hospital transfers include bed to stretcher, bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to chair, and wheelchair to toilet, and vice versa.

Patient Transfer from Bed to Stretcher

A bed to stretcher transfer requires a minimum of three to four people, depending on the size of the patient and the size and strength of the health care providers. Patients who require this type of transfer are generally immobile or acutely ill and may be unable to assist with the transfer. Checklist 29 shows the steps for moving patients laterally from one surface to another.

Checklist 29: Moving a Patient from Bed to Stretcher
Disclaimer: Always review and follow your hospital policy regarding this specific skill.
Safety considerations: 
  • Perform hand hygiene.
  • Check room for additional precautions.
  • Introduce yourself to patient.
  • Confirm patient ID using two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth).
  • Listen and attend to patient cues.
  • Ensure patient’s privacy and dignity.
  • Assess ABCCS/suction/oxygen/safety.
  • Ensure tubes and attachments are properly placed prior to the procedure to prevent accidental removal.
  • A slider board and full-size sheet or friction-reducing sheet is required for the transfer.

Steps

 Additional Information

1. Always predetermine the number of staff required to safely transfer a patient horizontally.

Three to four health care providers are required for the transfer.

2. Explain what will happen and how the patient can help (tuck chin in, keep hands on chest).

Collect supplies.

This step provides the patient with an opportunity to ask questions and help with the transfer.

When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Stretcher and slider board
When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Chin tucked in and arms across chest

3. Raise bed to safe working height. Lower head of bed and side rails.

Position the patient closest to the side of the bed where the stretcher will be placed.

Safe working height is at waist level for the shortest health care provider.

The patient must be positioned correctly prior to the transfer to avoid straining and reaching.

May need additional health care providers to move patient to the side of the bed.

4. Roll patient over and place slider board halfway under the patient, forming a bridge between the bed and the stretcher.

Place sheet on top of the slider board. The sheet is used to slide patient over to the stretcher.

The patient is returned to the supine position.

Patient’s feet are positioned on the slider board.

The slider board must be positioned as a bridge between both surfaces.

The sheet must be between the patient and the slider board to decrease friction between patient and board.

When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Place slider board

Ensure all tubes and attachments are out of the way.

5. Position stretcher beside the bed on the side closest to the patient, with stretcher slightly lower. Apply brakes.

Two health care providers climb onto the stretcher and grasp the sheet. The lead person is at the head of the bed and will grasp the pillow and sheet. The other health care provider is positioned on the far side of the bed, between the chest and hips of the patient, and will grasp the sheet with palms facing up.

The two caregivers on the stretcher grasp the draw sheet using a palms up technique, sitting up tall, and keeping their elbows close to their body and backs straight.

The position of the health care providers keeps the heaviest part of the patient near the health care providers’ centre of gravity for stability.
When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Caregiver at the head of the bed

6. The caregiver on the other side of the bed places his or her hands under the patient’s hip and shoulder area with forearms resting on bed.

 

7. The designated leader will count 1, 2, 3, and start the move.

The person on the far side of the bed will push patient just to arm’s length using a back-to-front weight shift.

At the same time, the two caregivers on the stretcher will move from a sitting-up-tall position to sitting on their heels, shifting their weight from the front leg to the back, bringing the patient with them using the sheet.

Coordinating the move between health care providers prevents injury while transferring patients.

Using a weight shift from front to back uses the legs to minimize effort when moving a patient.

8. The two caregivers will climb off the stretcher and stand at the side and grasp the sheet, keeping elbows tucked in.

One of the two caregivers should be in line with the patient’s shoulders and the other should be at the hip area.

On the count of three, with back straight and knees bent, the two caregivers use a front-to-back weight shift and slide the patient into the middle of the bed.

The step allows the patient to be properly positioned in the bed and prevents back injury to health care providers.

When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Caregiver at the head of the bed
When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Weight on front leg
When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Shift weight to back foot

9. At the same time, the caregiver on the other side slides the slider board out from under the patient.

This step allows the patient to lie flat on the bed.

10. Replace pillow under head, ensure patient is comfortable, and cover the patient with sheets.

This promotes comfort and prevents harm to patient.

11. Lower bed and lock brakes, raise side rails as required, and ensure call bell is within reach.

Perform hand hygiene.

Placing bed and side rails in a safe position reduces the likelihood of injury to patient. Proper placement of call bell facilitates patient’s ability to ask for assistance.
When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Bed in lowest position, side rail up, call bell within reach

Hand hygiene reduces the spread of microorganisms.

When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Hand hygiene with ABHR
Data source: ATI, 2015c; Perry et al., 2014; PHSA, 2010

Take this Lateral Transfer Sliding Board course for more information on sliding board transfer.

Transfer from Bed to Wheelchair

Patients often need assistance when moving from a bed to a wheelchair. A patient must be cooperative and predictable, able to bear weight on both legs and take small steps. If any of these criteria are not met, a two-person transfer or mechanical lift is recommended. Always complete a patient risk assessment prior to all patient-handling activities. See Checklist 30 for the steps to transfer a patient from the bed to the wheelchair (PHSA, 2010).

Checklist 30: Bed to Wheelchair Transfer
Disclaimer: Always review and follow your hospital policy regarding this specific skill.
Safety considerations: 
  • Check room for additional precautions.
  • Introduce yourself to patient.
  • Confirm patient ID using two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth).
  • Listen and attend to patient cues.
  • Ensure patient’s privacy and dignity.
  • Assess ABCCS/suction/oxygen/safety.
  • Ensure tubes and attachments are properly placed prior to the procedure to prevent accidental removal.
  • A gait belt and wheelchair are required.

Steps

 Additional Information

1. One health care provider is required.

The patient should be assessed as a 1-person assist.

2. Perform hand hygiene. Explain what will happen during the transfer and how the patient can help.

Apply proper footwear prior to ambulation

This step provides the patient with an opportunity to ask questions and help with the positioning.

When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Explain procedure to patient
When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Proper footwear

3. Lower the bed and ensure that brakes are applied.

Place the wheelchair next to the bed at a 45-degree angle and apply brakes. If a patient has weakness on one side, place the wheelchair on the strong side.

Ensure brakes are applied on the wheelchair.
When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Wheelchair with one leg rest removed

4. Sit patient on the side of the bed with his or her feet on the floor. Apply the gait belt snugly around the waist (if required).

Place hands on waist to assist into a standing position

The patient’s feet should be in between the health care provider’s feet.

When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Patient position prior to standing

5. As the patient leans forward, grasp the gait belt (if required) on the side the patient, with your arms outside the patient’s arms. Position your legs on the outside of the patient’s legs. The patient’s feet should be flat on the floor.

When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Assist to a standing position using a gait belt

6. Count to three and, using a rocking motion, help the patient stand by shifting weight from the front foot to the back foot, keeping elbows in and back straight.

When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Weight shift to back leg by health care provider

7. Once standing, have the patient take a few steps back until they can feel the wheelchair on the back of their legs. Have patient grasp the arm of the wheelchair and lean forward slightly.

Ensure the patient can feel the wheelchair on the back of the legs prior to sitting down.
When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Assist into the wheelchair

8. As the patient sits down, shift your weight from back to front with bent knees, with trunk straight and elbows slightly bent. Allow patient to sit in wheelchair slowly, using armrests for support.

This allows the patient to be properly positioned in the chair and prevents back injury to health care providers.

When using a lift sheet to assist in moving a pt up in bed, what should the nurse ask the pt to do?
Transfer to wheelchair
 Data source: ATI, 2015b; Perry et al., 2014; PHSA, 2010
Special considerations:
  • Do not allow patients to place their arms around your neck. Have them place their arms around your hips.
  • Avoid lifting patients. Let them stand using their own strength.
  • Stay close to your patient during the transfer to keep the patient’s weight close to your centre of gravity
  • If the patient has weakness on one side of the body (e.g., due to a cerebral vascular accidentCVA — or stroke), place the wheelchair on the strong side.

Video 3.6

Take this Standing Step Around Transfer course to learn the method for a bed to wheelchair transfer.

  1. Prior to moving the patient, where should the patient’s feet be placed?
  2. As you start to stand your patient, the patient gently places his arms around your neck. How do you proceed?

When lifting and moving a patient up in bed a lift sheet should be used where is the best place for the lift sheet?

The goal is to pull, not lift, the patient toward the head of the bed. The 2 people moving the patient should stand on opposite sides of the bed. To pull the person up both people should: Grab the slide sheet or draw sheet at the patient's upper back and hips on the side of the bed closest to you.

When preparing to move a patient who can assist up in the bed you would first?

3. When preparing to move a patient who can assist up in the bed, you would first: Pull the bed covers down to the foot of the bed.

When transferring a client from bed to their bedside chair the nurse on duty should use which muscles to avoid back straining and injury?

Tighten your gluteal and abdominal muscles, bend your knees, and keep back straight and neutral. Place one foot in front of the other. The weight will shift from the front foot to the back during the move. Use of proper body mechanics helps prevent injury when handling patients.

When moving a client up in bed with the assistance of another caregiver the nurse should quizlet?

1)Adjust the head of the bed to a flat position. 2)Remove all pillows from under the client. 3)Position the UAP on the side opposite the nurse. 4)Place a friction-reducing sheet under the client.