Transferring with Assistive Equipment

Transferring any patient can be tricky and should always be done in a safe cautious manner.  Transferring a quadriplegic often requires a few more detailed steps.

Depending on the confidence and strength of the care-giver, there are a couple different assistive devices that can be used for transferring.

1)  The gait belt is probably used most often for transfers that may not be too difficult.  The patient wears it around their waist.  The care giver will reach around the front of the patient while grabbing the belt from behind the individual. Quickly (and carefully) lift the patient while pivoting and transferring into the designated area. The gait belt can remain on the patient, or removed at his/her request.

2)  A sliding board can also be used for transfers.  The gait belt is necessary for use of this equipment.  The sliding board looks similar to the top of a skate board.  As the patient sits at the edge of the bed, and held in place by another care giver, the board is place under the patient's buttock (one side), as the other side of the board rests on the destined transfer area.  The care giver holds the gait belt behind the patient, and      simply slides the patient across the board.

3)  More often then not, quadriplegics and spinal cord injury patients are transferred with mechanical lifts.  The two lifts I am familiar with are the Hoyer and the sit-to-stand lifts.  The sit-to-stand isn't normally used with quadriplegics because this lift requires some upper body strength and control.

The Hoyer lift requires experience and attention to detail, therefore preventing further injury.  A Hoyer pad must be placed correctly under the patient.  The lift rolls with ease underneath the bed, while the claw-looking device at the top hovers over the individual.  As you adjust the lift to the bed and patient, be sure the lift's wheels are securely locked. Once the lift is in position, the caregiver will secure the pad to the lift.  There are several loops on the outside of the pad that hook securely onto the clamps of the lift.  After checking all clamps, correctly press the 'up' control button and slowly lift the patient out of bed.  As you unlock the wheels of the lift, you will physically move the lift to the desired transfer area.  Slowly , the caregiver will mechanically lower the individual.  Once the patient is securely transferred the pad can be unhooked and removed.

It is usually the preference of the caregiver or instruction from the nurse to determine what type of equipment should be used to transfer each individual patient.