Body Mechanics & Transfer Activities

Health care workers and caregivers assist patients and family members with transfers from sit to stand, on and off the toilet, in and out of bed and from one sitting surface to another. These people are at risk of injury if incorrect techniques are used; therefore, it is important that instruction is provided in proper body mechanics during transfer activities.

Bed Mobility

• Bed mobility transfer activities include moving from sitting to supine (back) and supine into sitting. In the healthcare setting, beds with adjustable height make it easier to use good body mechanics when assisting with these transfers. If able, raise the height of the bed to waist height to reduce the amount of bending required. Instruct the patient to roll onto his side and assist his legs over the edge of the bed. Squat and bend your knees as you lower his legs toward the ground. Assist him into sitting by providing support to his trunk. To assist with a sitting to supine transfer, squat at the knees, keep your abdominal muscles tight, spine as straight as possible and assist the patient with lifting his legs up into the bed. Provide support at the patient's trunk as he lowers his upper body onto the bed. Instruct the patient to roll onto his back.

Sit to Stand Transfer

• Place a gait belt, if available, around the waist of a patient or family member before assisting him with a sit to stand transfer. Instruct the person to scoot forward to the edge of the bed or chair and place his feet flat on the ground. Face the patient, spread your feet apart to shoulder width, squat down and hold the gait belt on both sides. If you do not have a gait belt, reach around and hold the back of the person's pants. Instruct the patient to push up from the bed or arms of the chair on the count of three. Count aloud and assist the person with rocking forward and back to provide momentum. Assist the person into standing by pulling him toward you as you come into a standing position together.

Stand to Sit Transfer

• To transfer a patient from standing to sitting, stand to the patient's side, hold the gait belt or back of his pants and instruct the patient to take small steps backward until he can feel the edge of the bed or chair on the back of his legs. Instruct the patient to bend forward, reach back for the bed or chair with his hands and bend his knees while lowering into a sitting position. Bend your knees as you assist the patient into sitting, using one hand on the gait belt and the opposite hand in front of the patient's shoulder to prevent him from flopping into the chair.

Stand Pivot Transfer

• A stand pivot transfer is used with patients who are unable to take steps from one place to another. A stand pivot transfer requires the caregiver to have significant strength, as a greater amount of the person's body weight will be lifted. Stand in front of the patient with your feet outside the patient's feet and put your knees up against the patient's knees. Squat and grab the gait belt on both sides. Get as close to the patient as possible. Rock the patient forward and back three times to build momentum. When you are ready to stand, pull the patient's trunk toward your body while pressing your knees against his to provide stability and straightening. Hug the patient close to your body in a standing position. Take small shuffling steps as you assist the patient to another surface, preferably 90 degrees from the original position. Lower them into sitting following the steps above.