How to Use a Slide Board for Patient Transfers

Many patients will be able to use a slide board to transfer themselves from one surface to another without assistance. However, if the patient needs help using the slide board, you need to know how to use it to safely and efficiently move her from one surface to another, such as from a wheelchair to a bed. Be sure to let the patient know what the next step will be, and allow her to rely on her own strength as much as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Slide board
• Gait belt

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Instructions

• 1

  Help the patient move to the edge of the surface by sliding her hips forward. If she can move her legs, allow her to use her own strength. Otherwise, she can balance herself with her arms while you scoot her lower half forward.

• 2

  Ask the patient to turn slightly away from the surface she's being transferred to. If she's unable to do this herself, position her yourself.

• 3

  Take the gait belt, and position it behind the patient's waist. Lift the patient's leg that's closest to the surface she's being transferred to, and place the slide board underneath it at a 45 degree angle.

• 4

  Position the patient's feet so that they are flat on the floor. If the patient can do this herself, allow her to.

• 5

  With one foot between the patient's feet, extend your arm that's furthest away from the surface to which the patient is being transferred. Place it across the patient with your hand on the patient's hip.

• 6

  With your other arm, grab hold of the gait belt. Stand in front of the patient, allowing her room to move forward freely. Ask the patient to lean forward, and explain that she should stay leaning forward during the transfer to keep from sliding off the slide board.

• 7

  Ask the patient to put one hand on the surface she's being transferred from, such as the armrest of a wheelchair, and the other hand on the slide board. The patient can now slide across the board toward the surface she's being transferred to.

• 8

  Assist the patient as she slides across the slide board. Your primary function is to keep her from falling, so make sure you keep a firm grasp on the gait belt and the patient until she is firmly sitting on the new surface. This may take several scoots.

• 9

  Remove the slide board from under the patient, and help her get into a comfortable position on the new surface.