Mr McTavish is medically stable and is ready to get out of bed and into a chair.
For information on moving patients read: How Do I Move This Patient? [PDF, 31 KB]
Now you need to select an appropriate chair for Mr McTavish.
True/ False answers. Correct answers in Bold
Don’t tell Mr McTavish what you are about to do in case he gets too anxious?
False: It’s important to let Mr McTavish know what he is about to do in order to allow him to assist, as best he can, and reduce the fear factor of any intervention.
True: It’s important to let Mr McTavish know what he is about to do in order to allow him to assist, as best he can, and reduce the fear factor of any intervention.
Check whether Mr McTavish has sitting balance?
True: Mr McTavish has impaired sitting balance so you may need to consider using a hoist or additional assistance. You should also check whether local guidance or protocol has been developed. Do not assume that exactly the same techniques will be appropriate every time as performance may vary.
False: Mr McTavish has impaired sitting balance so you may need to consider using a hoist or additional assistance. You should also check whether local guidance or protocol has been developed. Do not assume that exactly the same techniques will be appropriate every time as performance may vary.
Ensure you take Mr McTavish securely by both arms when assisting him to move from the bed into the chair?
False: Never assist a patient in this way. It may constitute a ‘drag lift’ which is a potentially dangerous manoeuvre and could cause damage to his affected shoulder. Try to work from his affected side and transfer towards his non-affected side.
True: Never assist a patient in this way. It may constitute a ‘drag lift’ which is a potentially dangerous manoeuvre and could cause damage to his affected shoulder. Try to work from his affected side and transfer towards his non-affected side.
Check that the environment is suitable for the transfer?
True: It is important to limit the number of obstacles in your way e.g. footplates on wheelchairs. It is also important to give yourself as much space as you require to safely complete the manoeuvre.
False: It is important to limit the number of obstacles in your way e.g. footplates on wheelchairs. It is also important to give yourself as much space as you require to safely complete the manoeuvre.
Give Mr McTavish lots of assistance?
False: It is important to allow Mr McTavish room to move and, with appropriate guidance, give him the opportunity to do as much as he can safely do for himself.
True: It is important to allow Mr McTavish room to move and, with appropriate guidance, give him the opportunity to do as much as he can safely do for himself.
Make sure the chair you are transferring to is facing Mr McTavish?
False: This would necessitate Mr McTavish and staff having to complete at least a 180-degree turn which has the potential to cause many problems, e.g. the chair would not be within easy reach should difficulties arise. A 90-degree turn, whenever possible is the better option and less work for patient and staff.
True: This would necessitate Mr McTavish and staff having to complete at least a 180-degree turn which has the potential to cause many problems, e.g. the chair would not be within easy reach should difficulties arise. A 90-degree turn, whenever possible is the better option and less work for patient and staff.
Page last reviewed: 01 Feb 2021
