Lifting patients

1. MEANING
 Moving and lifting of the patient means shift or
transfer the patient from one place to another place
with use of different types of devices. For example-
Wheel chair, stretcher etc. when the patient is not
able to move or lift himself.

2. DEVICES USED
1] wheel chair or arm chair.
2] wheel bed.
3] stretcher

3. INDICATIONS
 Moving the patient from bed to wheel chair and
back
 Pre-operative and post-operative patient.
 Anemic patients.
 Old-age patients.
 To shift the Gynea patients.
 For shifting the patient from ward to the
investigation room.

4. CONTRAINDICATIONS
 Critically ill patients.
 Spinal injury and fracture patients.
 Caesarian patients.
 Head injury patients.
 Semi conscious, unconscious and coma patients.

5. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS IN MOVING AND LIFTING OF
THE PATIENT
 Plan the movement of the patient ahead of the time and
be sure the path is clear.
 Face the direction in which the movement will be made
to avoid twisting.
 The areas to be supported are.*head, shoulder and
chest.*hips.*thighs and ankle.
 Take the help of the worker and co-ordinate the
movements.
 unless contraindicated, encourage the patient to use his
abilities as much as possible.
 Observe the patient for orthostatic hypotension.
 Don't support the patient under his armpit.
 Always lock the wheels of the chair and stretcher.
 Avoid jerking and twisting during the lift.

7. NURSES RESPONSIBILITY
 PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
1. Check the diagnosis of the patient.
2. Check the level of the consciousness andability to
follow instructions.
3. Check the ability of the self care.
4. Check the abilities and limitations such as
paralysis, fractures, and splints.
5. Check the presence of the muscle, skin and bone
lesions and attachment e.g. catheters and I.V.
connections.
6. Check numbers of personnel required

8. PREPARATION OF THE PATIENTAND UNIT
 Provide the privacy.
 Explain the procedure.
 Adjust the bed at working height.
 Fanfold the top linen.
 Change the wet linen.
 Offer the bedpan.
 Remove all comfort devices.
 Clamp the catheter. Attach the I.V pole to the
device.
 Position foot stool if needed