Equipment
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Assessment
- Check the physicians orders.
- Level of consciousness, ability to follow directions, and ability to assist with the move.
- Patient's physical size and your own ability to move him or her.
- Restrictions in movement or position.
- Patient's level of comfort.
- Presence of equipment such as IV lines, drains, or catheters.
- Possible side effects of medications (e.g. dizziness and sedation).
- Vital Signs
- Monitor for orthostatic hypotension.
- Before transferring a patient to a chair, assess his or her tolerance of dangling.
Key Points
- Inform the patient about the procedure and explain the details of how the transfer is done.
- Thoroughly wash and dry hands prior to transfer.
- Instruct the patient to wear nonskid footwear (slippers or shoes).
- Place the bed in the lowest position, and lock the wheels.
- Assist the patient to dangle at the side of the bed.
- Allow the patient to briefly rest between lying and sitting up to avoid orthostatic hypotension.
- Brace your feet and knees against the patient. Bend your hips and knees, and hold onto the transfer belt.
- Remember to use your knees, not your back when assisting in transfer.
- If two nurses are available to assist with the transfer, one nurse should be on each side of the patient.
- Instruct the patient to place his or her arms around you between your shoulders and waist. (The location depends on the height of the patient and the nurses.) Ask the patient to stand as you move to an upright position by straightening your legs and hips.
- Instruct the patient to flex his or her hips and knees as they lower to the chair. Guide his or her motion while maintaining a firm hold on them.
- If the chair is a wheelchair, make sure to lock the wheels.
Post-Procedure Reassessment
- The level of patient participation in the transfer.
- The comfort level of the patient during the transfer and in the new position.
- Proper body position and alignment.
- Assess vital signs for orthostatic hypotension.
Documentation
- Moving a patient to a chair is a routine aspect of care and may not require documentation.
- How much assistance was required during the transfer.
- The use of any assistive devices.
- Any problems with patient positioning.
- The length of time the patient was out of bed.
- The patients tolerance to activity.