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Lifting and Moving Patients

Guidelines for Safe Lifting

1. Consider the weight of object/ patient.

The stretcher alone weighs 70-80 lbs.

2. Communicate with partner.

3. Know your physical limitations

4. Identify the need for help before lifting.

5. Have a plan.

6. Use your legs to lift…NOT BACK

7. Have feet positioned properly.

8. Keep weight close to body.

9. Lift without twisting.

Guidelines for Safe Lifting

Use legs, not back, to lift.Use legs, not back, to lift.

Keep weight close to your body.Keep weight close to your body.

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Guidelines for Safe Lifting

• Power-lift position– Useful for individuals with weak knees/thighs– Feet are a comfortable distance apart– Back is tight and abdominal muscles lock the

back in a slight inward curve– Straddle the object– Keep feet flat– Distribute weight to balls of feet or just behind

them.– Stand by making sure the back is locked in and

the upper body comes up before the hips.

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Guidelines for Safe Lifting

• Power-grip position– To get maximum force from hands– The palm and fingers come into complete

contact with the object and all fingers are bent at the same angles

– Hands should be at least 10 inches apart

Power-LiftPower-LiftPositionPosition

Power-GripPower-Grip

1. Keep your back locked in.

2. Avoid twisting while reaching.

3. Avoid reaching more than 15-20 inches in front of your body.

Safe Reaching Techniques

Safe Pushing and Pulling

1. Push, rather than pull.

2. Keep your back locked in

3. Keep weight close to your body.

Safe Pushing and Pulling

4. Keep your knees bent.

5. Avoid pushing or pulling overhead.

6. Keep elbows bent and arms close to sides.

7. If weight is below waist level, push or pull from a kneeling position.

Types ofTypes ofMovesMoves

Emergency Moves1. There is immediate danger to the

patient if not moved:

a)Fire or danger of fire

b)Explosives or other dangerous materials

2. Life-saving care cannot be given because of patient’s location/position

3. Patient must be moved to reach a critical patient.

Emergency Move:Emergency Move: Clothes Drag Clothes Drag

Emergency Move: Emergency Move: Incline Drag (Head-First)Incline Drag (Head-First)

Emergency Emergency Move: Move: Firefighter’sFirefighter’sDragDrag

Emergency Emergency Move:Move:Firefighter’s Firefighter’s CarryCarry

Emergency Emergency Move: Move: One-Rescuer One-Rescuer AssistAssist

Emergency Emergency Move:Move:Two-Rescuer Two-Rescuer AssistAssist

Urgent Moves

1. Used when there is an immediate threat to life:

a)Altered mental status

b)Inadequate breathing

c)Shock (hypoperfusion)

2. Treatment of patient’s condition requires a move.

Urgent Move with Spinal PrecautionsUrgent Move with Spinal Precautions

Non-Urgent Moves

1. Use when there is no threat to life.

2. Use when patient’s condition allows for assessment and care.

3. Typically utilize a carrying device.

4. In narrow places, the best technique for moving a patient using a spinal board as an alternative to a 4 person log roll is the 4 person straddle slide

Non-Urgent Non-Urgent Move:Move:Extremity Extremity CarryCarry

Patient-Carrying Patient-Carrying DevicesDevices

1. Wheeled Ambulance Stretcher1. Wheeled Ambulance Stretcher

2. Portable Stretcher – Top Deck2. Portable Stretcher – Top Deck

3. Stair Chair – 3. Stair Chair – For people that For people that can sit up and can sit up and that have to be that have to be carried down carried down stairsstairs

4. Long Spine Board4. Long Spine Board

Patient Immobilized on Long Spine BoardPatient Immobilized on Long Spine Board

5. Short Spine Board5. Short Spine Board

6. Vest-Type Extrication Device - KED6. Vest-Type Extrication Device - KED

Patient Immobilized in Vest-TypeExtrication Device

7. Scoop (Orthopedic) Stretcher7. Scoop (Orthopedic) Stretcher

8. Basket (Stokes) Stretcher8. Basket (Stokes) Stretcher

9. Flexible (Reeves) Stretcher9. Flexible (Reeves) Stretcher

Patient Positioning

Part of patient care plan

Must not cause harm to patient

Must be safe

1. 1. Recovery PositionRecovery PositionUnconscious Patient without Spinal Injury

2. 2. Position of ComfortPosition of Comfort – – Semi-fowlersSemi-fowlersUpper body at 45° angleUpper body at 45° angle

3. 3. Shock PositionShock Position - - TrendelenburgTrendelenburg Patient without Spinal InjuryLegs elevated 8-12 inches

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4. For a pregnant patient with hypotension, an early intervention is to position the patient on her left side.

5. A patient who is nauseated or vomiting should be transported in a position of comfort. Remember airway always takes priority.

Transferring the Transferring the Patient to a Patient to a Hospital Bed Hospital Bed Using a Draw Using a Draw

sheetsheet

1. Position stretcher next to the bed.1. Position stretcher next to the bed.

2. Pull sheet under patient taut.2. Pull sheet under patient taut.

3. Slide patient to hospital cart.3. Slide patient to hospital cart.

4. Be sure patient is centered. Raise side rail.4. Be sure patient is centered. Raise side rail.