Safe Patient Lifting Techniques

Healthcare workers are at great risk when lifting patients out of bed. If the lift is not done properly, the worker can severely injure his neck or back, putting himself out of commission for weeks. The worker is not only endangering himself, but he runs the risk of mishandling, dropping and injuring his patient. Proper lifting techniques are imperative and must be exercised at all times for the safety of everyone involved.

One-person Transfer from Bed to Chair

• If a patient is able to walk on his own with assistance, only one healthcare worker is needed for the transfer. The worker must first place a gait belt, or lifting belt, securely around the patient's waist. Once the belt is fastened, the worker will position the patient in a loose fetal position facing the chair. The worker then places one arm underneath the patient's torso and the other arm over the patient's legs, behind the knees. He will tell the patient to help lift up at the count of three. On three, the worker will swing the legs over the edge of the bed while at the same time lifting the torso. The momentum built up from the legs will assist the worker in safely bringing the patient to a sitting position.

  Once upright, the patient will grab the worker around the shoulders and the worker will reach around the patient's waist, firmly grasping the gait belt. With both patient and worker's legs positioned a shoulder-length apart, they will lift up together and pivot their bodies using small steps until standing directly in front of the chair. The worker will then lower the patient into the chair, bending at the knees and using his legs for support.

Two-person Transfer from Bed to Chair

• This transfer is used for patients who have difficulty walking and supporting their own weight but are not completely dependent. Once again, the gait belt is fastened around the patient's waist. This time, one worker will rotate the legs and the other will lift at the torso. They must time their lift. If it is not synchronized, one or all three involved could be severely injured.

  Once upright, the workers will grasp the gait belt at the patient's back with their outside arms. The inside arms will hook into the patient's arm and the patient will grasp their shoulders. On the count of three, the workers will lift the patient up and pivot in small steps to the chair. They will slowly lower the patient, bending at the knees and using their legs for support.

Two-person Complete Support Transfer

• This transfer is for completely dependent patients. The workers will sit the patient upright as described in the two-person transfer. The workers will stand on each side of the patient, facing each other. Bending at the knees and keeping the natural curve of their spine, the workers will place one hand each behind the patient's back and one hand underneath the patient's thighs and knees. Together, they will lift the patient up and cradle her. They will slowly move to the chair and gently lower the patient down, bending at the knees and using their legs for support.