How to Do a Patient Transfer From Bed to Wheelchair

Moving a patient who cannot support himself on his own power is sometimes called a patient transfer. When you have to move a person from his bed to a wheelchair, there are a few basic steps that will help you make it a smooth and pleasant experience for the patient as opposed to a painful and confusing one. Talk to the patient before you move him, explaining what you're going to do and discussing what he can expect so he's not surprised, or worse, afraid once you begin the process.

Things You'll Need

• Wheelchair
• Tennis shoes

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Instructions

• 1

  Ask an assistant to help you move the patient if she is a large or heavy person or if you think you cannot safely support her weight alone. Gently raise the person to a sitting position in her bed. Wear tennis shoes to provide traction so that you don't slip during the process. Stand to the patient's right and have your assistant stand to her left. Place one of your hands behind her back and the other on her chest or upper arm to help move her to an upright position in her bed.

• 2

  Help the person swivel in bed so that his legs hang over the edge of one of the sides of the bed. Grab his hips, if necessary, and turn him gently to the left or right to position him at the edge of his bed. Pull the patient to the edge of his bed until his feet touch the floor.

• 3

  Bend your knees while standing in front of the patient. Place your arms beneath her armpits and raise her to a standing position. Slowly turn around so that her back is facing the wheelchair and your back is facing the edge of her bed.

• 4

  Ask your assistant to bring the wheelchair over to the bed directly behind the patient. Instruct the assistant to apply the wheel brakes so that the wheelchair remains stable while the patient is loaded into it. Ask the assistant to remain standing behind the wheelchair, holding the handles firmly while you lower the patient into it.

• 5

  Bend your knees and slowly lower the patient into the wheelchair until she is safely seated in it. Push down the foot pads near the front wheels of the wheelchair and lift your patient's feet onto them.