Discuss the different types of assistive devices used in the healthcare system.

1. Srividhya N
Transferring and lifting devices

2. Definition
 An assistive device is an object or piece of
equipment designed to help a patient with
activities of daily living, such as a walker, cane,
gait belt, or mechanical lift (WHO, 2018).
Assistive devices also allow the the healthcare
worker to transfer and move patients in a way
that reduces risk for injury to themselves and
patients.

3. Gait belt or transfer belt
 It is a 5 mm (2 in) wide belt,
with or without handles, that is
placed around a patient’s waist
and fastened with Velcro.
 It is used to ensure a good grip
on potentially unstable
patients. The device provides
added stability when
transferring patients.
 The gait belt must always be
applied on top of clothing or
gown to protect the patient’s
skin.
 A gait belt can be used with
patients in both one-person
or two-person pivot transfer, or
in transfer with a slider board.

4. Transfer Sling
 A transfer sling is a sit-to-
stand transfer aid that is
usually snugly positioned
under a patient’s bottom
and/or around the
midsection to provide
caregivers with a handhold
to help pull the patient up
and provide stability once
the patient is standing.
These transfer devices
help caregivers maintain
their grip during transfers.

5. Slider Board/Stretcher Board
 A slider board is used to
transfer immobile
patients from one surface
to another while the
patient is lying supine.
The board assists
healthcare providers
move immobile, bariatric,
or complex patients more
safely.

6. Mechanical lift
 A mechanical lift is a
hydraulic lift, usually
attached to a ceiling, used
to move patients who
cannot bear weight, who
are unpredictable or
unreliable, or who have a
medical condition that
does not allow them to
stand or assist with
moving.

7. Air transfer mattress
 Air transfer mattresses
allow caregivers to easily
reposition and transfer
patients laterally (i.e., bed
to stretcher and vice
versa).

8. Slider sheets
 A sliding sheet or any short
sheet can be used as a sliding
aid. There are also specially
designed roller sheets. These
are made of special fabrics
that have low-friction inner
surfaces. The layers of fabric
roll or slide over one another
during the patient transfer.

9. Monkey bar
 A trapeze positioned above the
patient near the head of the
bed allows the patient to grasp
and reposition themselves or to
help with re-positioning. The
trapeze can be fixed to the bed
or free standing.
 They are contraindicated in
some situations including new
spinal cord injury, post
abdominal surgery, and
shoulder conditions.

10. Bed Ladder
 A bed ladder, sometimes
called an assistive strap or bed
ladder strap, allows a patient
who has enough arm strength
to sit up independently. By
grabbing the handholds on the
band of webbing, the patient
can pull up to a sitting position
in bed without relying on
assistance from a caregiver.

11. Special considerations
 Use assistive devices only if properly trained in
their safe use.
 Always tell patients what you are about to do, and
how they should assist you in the procedure.
 Always perform a patient risk assessment or
mobility assessment prior to using any assistive
devices.
 Use proper body mechanics when using assistive
devices to reduce risk of injury.

12. Videos
 Transferring patient
 Moving and lifting