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Srividhya Ramaswamy, profile picture
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Assistive devices - Used in moving and lifting patients

This document defines and describes various assistive devices used for transferring and lifting patients, including gait belts, transfer slings, slider boards, mechanical lifts, air transfer mattresses, slider sheets, monkey bars, bed ladders, and other devices. It explains how each device is used to help caregivers move patients safely and reduce the risk of injury to both patients and healthcare workers. Special considerations for proper training and assessment when using assistive devices are also outlined.

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Srividhya N Transferring and lifting devices
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Air transfer mattress  Air transfer mattresses allow caregivers to easily reposition and transfer patients laterally (i.e., bed to stretcher and vice versa).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Videos  Transferring patient  Moving and lifting