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Advanced Nursing Practice
Procedure on moving, lifting and
transferring the patient
CONTENTS
• Definition of moving, lifting and transferring the patient
• Purposes
• Principles
• Articles
• Preliminary Assessment
• Preparation of patient and unit
• Steps for moving the patient to one side of the bed.
• Steps of moving a helpless patient up in bed.
• Steps of turning a patient to one side of the bed.
• Transferring a helpless patient from bed to stretcher.
• Steps of assisting a patient from bed to chair or wheel chair.
DEFINITION
Moving and lifting
the patient means
transferring the
patient from one
place to another or
changing the
position of the
patient.
Purposes
• Change the position of the patient to prevent
bedsores.
• Facilitating body movements without muscle strain
and excessive use of muscle energy.
• Maintaining adequate muscle tone.
• Preventing fatigue and deformities
• Reducing energy expenditure
Principles
• The wider the base of support, the greater the
stability of nurse.
• The lower center of gravity, the greater the stability of
nurse.
• The equilibrium of an object is maintained as long as
the line of gravity passes through its base of support.
• The stronger the muscle group, the greater amount of
work that can be safely done by it.
Base of support
Centre of Gravity Line of Gravity
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• Facing the direction of movement prevents
abnormal twisting of spine.
• Dividing balanced activity between arms and legs
reduces the risk of back injury while lifting or
moving an object.
• Sliding, rolling, turning or pivoting requires less
work than lifting.
Principles
• When friction is reduced between the object to be
moved and surface on which it is moved, less force is
required to move it.(Friction is a force that occurs in a
direction to oppose movement)
• Reducing the force of work reduces risk of injury.
• Maintaining good body mechanics reduces fatigue of
muscle groups.
• Alternating periods of rest and activity help reduce
fatigue.
Articles
Articles required depends upon from where we have
to shift the patient and to which place:
• Wheel chair if we have to shift the patient to wheel
chair.
• Stretcher if we have to shift the patient to stretcher.
• Foot stool if needed.
PROCEDURES FOR MOVING,
LIFTING AND POSITIONING OF
PATIENTS
Preprocedural steps
Preliminary Assessment
• Check the diagnosis and specific precaution
regarding the movement of the patient.
• Check the level of consciousness and ability to
follow instructions.
• Check for attachments e.g. catheters and I/V
connections.
• Check the number of personnel required and
available to move the patient safely.
• Provide privacy to the patient.
Preprocedural steps
Preparation of patient and unit
• Provide privacy to the patient.
• Explain procedure to the patient and seek his/her
participation.
• Adjust the bed to the working height, lower side rails
and lock wheels of the bed, wheel chair or stretcher
etc.
• Remove all comfort devices used for the patient.
• Fanfold the top linen to the foot end or remove them
leaving a sheet over the patient.
• Attach the IV pole to the stretcher to hang the IV bottle.
Steps for moving the patient to
one side of the bed
Intraprocedural
• Stand facing the patient at
the side of the bed in which
he is to be moved. Stand
with a wide base of support
with knees and hips flexed
to bring the arms to the
level of bed.
• Wide base provides a stable
base. Flexed knees,bring
the nurses’ arms to the bed
level .
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• Place the arms of the patient on his or her chest.
• This will help prevent an injury and will not hinder
movement.
• Place one arm under the shoulders and neck and
the other under the patients back.
• Helps to move the patient’s body in unison.
• Shift own body weight from front foot to your back
foot as you rock backward, bringing the patient
towards you to the side of the bed.
• Avoids strain on the patient’s as well as the nurse’s
muscles.
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• Move the middle part of the patient in the same
manner by placing one arm under his back and one
under his thighs.
• Helps to move the patient’s body in unison
• Then move the feet and lower legs with the same
motion.
• Avoids any injury to the patient and the nurse.
Steps of moving a helpless patient
up in bed
Preprocedural
• Perform hand hygiene
• Position yourself and the patient appropriately
before performing the move.
Steps of moving a helpless patient up in bed
Intraprocedural steps
• Stand at the side of the
patients bed. Stand with
broad stance placing one
foot behind the other.
• Flex your knees and bring
your arms at bed level. Put
your arms under the
patient.
• Supports the body of the
patient and helps in easy
movement of the patient.
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• Place one arm under the
patient’s head and shoulders
and one arm under his back.
• Supports the body of the
patient.
• Move forward and shift your
weight from forward foot to
your back foot with flexed
hips.
• Encourage the client to reach
up and grasp the upper side
rails with both hands, bend
knees, and push off with the
feet and pull up with the arms
simultaneously.
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• Flexing the hips and knees keeps the entire lower leg off
the bed surface preventing friction during movement,
and ensures use of the large muscle groups in the
client’s legs when pushing, thus increasing the force of
movement.
• Instruct patient to push with heels and elevate trunk if
possible, moving towards the head end of the bed, to
the count of 3.
• Move the trunk and legs of the patient in the same
manner.
• Go to the other side of the bed and repeat the above
steps till the patient is positioned satisfactorily.
Steps of turning a patient to one
side of the bed
Preprocedural
• Perform hand hygiene
• Prior to performing the procedure, introduce self
and verify patient’s identity.
• Position yourself and the patient appropriately
before performing the move
Steps of turning a patient to one side of the bed
Intraprocedural steps
• Move the patient to the same
side of the bed so as to bring him
slightly off the centre of mattress.
• If the patient is not moved to the
side of the bed,he/she may fall to
the ground when he/she is turned
on his/her side.
• Keep the farthest arm along the
side of the head and face,the
near arm across the chest and
near leg flexed over the farthest
leg.
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• Helps to prevent injury and in easy turning of the
patient.
• Place your arm under the shoulders and hips of the
patient and roll him gently away. Make the patient
comfortably by placing pillow as in side lying
position.
• Supports the body and turns the body as a whole.
Transferring a helpless patient
from bed to stretcher
Preprocedural
• Perform hand hygiene
• Position yourself and the patient appropriately
before performing the move.
Transferring a helpless patient from bed to stretcher
Intraprocedural steps
• Position the stretcher at right angle to head or foot
end of the bed.
• Shortens the distance to carry the patient.
• Call helpers to position them at the bedside along
the same side of the bed.
• If the patient is heavy,call for more helpers.
• Move the patient to the edge of the bed.
• Placing the patient to the edge of the bed prevents
over reaching and sustains injury to the back.
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• Position yourself (three nurses) at the:
Head,shoulders and chest
Hips
Thighs and ankles
• Facilitates moving of the body as a whole.
• Count 1,2,3,4 & 5
At Count 1, the nurses slide their arms under the
patient to support his body sections.
At Count 2, the nurses stand with back erect, holding
the patient as near body as possible.
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At Count 3, the nurses take one step backwards
and pivot on their heels towards the stretcher.
At Count 4, the nurses move to the side of the
stretcher and stand with a wide base and flexed
knees ready to lower the patient into the stretcher.
At Count 5, the nurses lower the patient to the
stretcher in a back lying position.
• Helps to bring the patient’s body weight within
nurse’s base of support.
• A feeling of security to the patient.
Steps of assisting a patient from
to chair or wheel chair
Preprocedural
• Perform hand hygiene
• Explain to the patient what you are going to do and
how he or she can cooperate.
• Position yourself and the patient appropriately
before performing the move.
Steps of assisting a patient from to chair or wheel
chair
Intraprocedural steps
• Place the chair/wheel chair at the right side of the bed,
with the back towards the foot of the bed.
• Helps to reduce energy expenditure.
• The wheels should be locked or placed against the wall
or another person.
• To prevent rolling of the wheel chair during transfer of
the patient.
• Help the patient to sit on the right side of the bed.
• Stand in front of the patient, facing him.
• To extend help to the patient, when needed.
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• Slide the patient’s buttocks close to the edge of the
bed by shifting his weight alternatively from right to
left buttock till his feet are placed on the floor.
• Rocking motion lifts weight on alternate buttocks
and enhances forward movement.
• Instruct the patient to stand on command by
simultaneously leaning forward, pushing with the
foot placed at the back as he straightens his legs.
Balance the patient on the armchair/side rail or
mattress.
• Do not risk the danger of the patient falling to the
floor.
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• Instruct the patient to place his left arm on the far
arm of the chair/wheel chair and pivot on the heel
of his/her feet,bringing the buttocks towards the
wheel chair.
• Facilitates sitting in the chair with ease
• Instruct the patient to lean forward and lower
his/her buttocks slowly to the seat by bending
knees and elbows.
• Facilitates sitting in the chair with ease
Gait Belts
• Gait belts is a safety device used to transfer a
patient feom one place to another. They can be
used when walking a patient or to transfer a
person from wheelchair to bed. It is worn just
above the waist.
• The purpose for this is to put less strain on the
back of the caregiver and to provide support to the
client.
Gait Belt Gait Belt with handles
After care
• Ensure correct body alignment and comfort of the
patient.
• Replace pillow and other comfort devices as
needed.
• Raise the side rails if necessary for the safety of the
patient.
• Remain with the patient during change of position
to prevent his/her falling.
• Ensure that the patient is comfortable and safe.
References:
• TNAI.Fundamentals of Nursing A procedure
manual:Body Mechanics,1st Ed;2005:226-240
• Ghai S.Clinical Nursing Procedures:Body
Mechanics.CBS Publishers & Distributor Pvt Ltd.1st
Ed;2018.74-79
• Silvestri A L.Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-
RN:Body Mechanics.Reed Elsevier India Private Ltd
Publication.2nd Ed;2017.1094-1096