Procedures for Lifting Patients

As part of your job as a nurse or home-care helper, you often must lift, transfer and position patients. But unless you move them properly, you run the risk of injuring yourself or your patients. Therefore, it is important that you learn the proper procedures for safely lifting patients.

Reasons and Planning

• You need to move your clients for various reasons, including relief of pressure points and prevention of bed sores. Sometimes your patients will have to go for tests or other medical procedures. They also may need to be bathed or moved so you can help them with other hygienic procedures.

  Safety is the most important consideration when doing any type of lifting. Before starting, explain to the patient what needs to be done and ask for suggestions from the patient about the best way to proceed. By discussing the details of the procedure, then you include him in the process and make him aware of what will be happening. When the patient is cooperative and helpful, lifting usually goes much more smoothly.

  Once you've talked with the patient, determine the patient's capabilities and whether any potential hazards in the room could possibly injure either you or the patient. Then decide the best way to transfer the patient to the new location. Sometimes nurses will decide to call on another able-bodied person for assistance or to use straps, mechanical hoists or lifting equipment. Just make sure any equipment you use is in good working order.

Basic Moves

• Many times you will simply need to reposition a patient in his bed. If this is the case, encourage him to do as much as possible to help you with the move. He can assist you by pushing with his legs or pulling with his arms. Another technique: Get another nurse and stand on either side of the bed facing each other. Work together to move the patient, counting to three so you move at the same time.

  Another common move is transferring an individual from his bed to a chair. First, move the patient into a sitting position. Then put the chair nearby and parallel to the bed. If using a wheelchair, lock the wheels. Next, move the patient's feet onto the floor, preferably with one foot a little in front of the other. Then stand facing the patient and place a lifting belt around her waist. Holding onto the belt, ask the patient to transfer her weight to her front foot while you help her into a standing position. From there, assist the patient with getting her balance. Once you are both securely in a standing positon, turn the patient toward the chair. Hold the chair steady while the patient uses the arms of the chair to help her slowly lower herself into a seated position with the assistance of the transfer belt. Once the client is safely seated, remove the belt from her waist. If you do not have a lifting belt, then simply put your hands at the sides of the patient's chest, holding her tightly, and proceed with the same steps. To move the patient back from the chair into the bed, simply follow the steps in reverse order.

  When you move any patient, it's crucial that you keep your balance by setting a wide stance with squared-off shoulders. Also, remain calm and patient.