Transferring a patient from bed to chair

Nursing, Nov 1995 by McConnell, Edwina A

It your patient is too weak to transfer himself, use this technique to get him from his bed into a sturdy chair or wheelchair.

DON'T

* Don't let the patient wear slippers or shoes without nonslip soles.

* Don't leave the wheelchair's footrests down because they'll interfere with the transfer.

* Don't change the patient's position quickly because his cardiovascular system may not have time to adjust to postural changes.

* Don't stretch your back at any time during the transfer.

the patient starts to fall, help ease him to the nearest surface. Otherwise, you could lose your balance, fall, or strain a muscle.

DO

* Explain the procedure to the patient, demonstrate his role, and lock the wheels on his bed.

* Place the chair or wheelchair so that it's facing the foot of the bed and it's parallel to or at a 45-degree angle to the bed. If you're using a wheelchair, lock the wheels.

* Help the patient into a side-lying position, facing the chair. Make sure the bed is in its lowest position.

* Lower the side rails and raise the head of the bed slowly as high as the patient can tolerate.

* With one arm under the patient's shoulder and the other arm over his thighs, swing his legs over the side of the bed and help lift his trunk and shoulders.

* Put your arms around the patient's torso and ask him to move toward the edge of the bed. If possible, have him place his feet flat on the floor.

* With your arms around his torso, block his toes with your feet and his knees with your legs. Slightly bend your knees and ask him to put his hands on the edge of the bed.

* Tell him to push himself off the bed, supporting as much of his own weight as possible. At the same time, straighten your knees and hips, raising him as you straighten your body. Keep your back as straight as possible throughout the transfer.

* Pivot toward the wheelchair, keeping your knees against his. Tell the patient to grasp the chair's armrests for support when he feels the chair against the back of his legs. Flexing your hips and knees and keeping your back straight, help him lower himself into the chair.

* If he can't position himself correctly, help him move his buttocks against the back of the chair. Make sure the ischial tuberosity, not the sacrum, is providing the support base. If necessary, properly position his feet on the footrests and his arms on the armrests.