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Body Mechanics and Exercise

Moving the Person to a Stretcher

Select a Skill:

  • » Moving the Person Up in Bed
  • » Positioning the Person in Bed
  • » Transferring the Person to a Chair or Wheelchair
  • » Moving the Person to a Stretcher
  • » Transferring the Person Using a Mechanical Lift
  • » Assisting with Range-of-Motion Exercises
  • » Helping the Person Walk

Take the Review Test:

  • » Body Mechanics and Exercise Review Test
  • Purpose
  • Equipment
  • Delegation
  • Preparation
  • Safety and Comfort
  • Procedure Video
  • Follow-up Care and Reporting/Recording
  • Review Questions

Purpose

  • Stretchers (gurneys) are used to transport persons to other areas. They are used for persons who cannot sit up, must stay in a lying position, or are seriously ill.
  • A folded flat sheet or bath blanket covers the stretcher. A pillow and extra blankets are on hand.
  • An assist device is used for the transfer. At least two or three staff members are needed for a safe transfer. OSHA recommends the following:
    • If the person weighs less than 100 pounds, use a lateral sliding aid and two staff members.
    • If the person weighs 100 to 200 pounds, use a lateral sliding aid or a friction-reducing device and two staff members.
    • If the person weighs more than 200 pounds, use one of these:
      • A lateral sliding aid and three staff members
      • A friction-reducing device or lateral transfer device and two staff members
      • A mechanical lateral transfer device with a built-in slide board and three staff members.

Equipment

Roll cursor over items to see labels. For the purposes of clearly depicting the equipment, a barrier is not shown in this photo. When providing care, a barrier should always be placed on the surface before placing the equipment.

Stretcher coverd with a sheet or bath blanket

Bath blanket

Pillow(s), if needed

Pen and notepad

Lateral transfer device

Printable
Equipment
List

Delegation

Follow delegation guidelines. Before moving a person with bariatric needs to a stretcher, the nurse and care plan may direct staff to:

  • Use a bariatric stretcher. Check for the “EC” (expanded capacity) sticker and the weight limit.
  • Raise or lower the stretcher so that it is ½ inch lower than the bed.
  • Use a friction-reducing device or a mechanical lateral transfer device.
  • Transfer the person from his or her stronger side.
  • Apply an abdominal binder if the person’s abdomen is in the way.

Preparation

  • Observe quality-of-life measures.
  • Review the information under Delegation and Safety and Comfort.
  • Ask one or two staff members to help you.
  • Collect the equipment.
  • Practice hand hygiene.
  • Identify the person. Check the ID bracelet against the assignment sheet. Also call the person by name.
  • Provide for privacy.
  • Raise the bed and stretcher for body mechanics.

Safety

  • Use safety straps when the person is on the stretcher. Keep the side rails up during transport. Move the stretcher feet first so the staff member at the head of the stretcher can watch the person’s breathing and color. Never leave a person on a stretcher alone.
  • Protect yourself and the person from injury:
    • Position the stretcher and bed surfaces as close as possible to each other.
    • Avoid extended reaches and bending your back. You may need to kneel on the bed or stretcher.
    • Follow the rules for stretcher safety.
    • Make sure the bed and stretcher wheels are locked.
    • Practice good body mechanics. Follow guidelines for preventing work-related injuries.
    • Keep the person in good alignment.
    • Make sure you have enough help.
    • Hold the person securely. You must not drop the person onto the floor.

Comfort

If the nurse allows, raise the head of the stretcher to a Fowler’s or semi-Fowler’s position.

Procedure Video

Audio Description: OFF
Printable
Procedure
Steps

Follow-up Care

  • Practice hand hygiene.
  • Reverse the procedure to return the person to bed.

Reporting/Recording

Report and record:

  • The time of the transport
  • Where the person was transported to
  • Who went with him or her
  • How the transfer was tolerated

Review Questions

Select the best answer.

1. Which piece of equipment could you use to assist with moving a person to a stretcher?

  1. A stand-assist lift
  2. A slide sheet
  3. A wheelchair
  4. A transfer belt
INCORRECT. To move a person from a bed to a stretcher, you may use a drawsheet, turning pad, large incontinence underpad, slide sheet, or lateral transfer device with slide board.
CORRECT. To move a person from a bed to a stretcher, you may use a drawsheet, turning pad, large incontinence underpad, slide sheet, or lateral transfer device with slide board.
INCORRECT. To move a person from a bed to a stretcher, you may use a drawsheet, turning pad, large incontinence underpad, slide sheet, or lateral transfer device with slide board.
INCORRECT. To move a person from a bed to a stretcher, you may use a drawsheet, turning pad, large incontinence underpad, slide sheet, or lateral transfer device with slide board.

Select the best answer.

2. Which technique is appropriate for moving a patient to a stretcher?

  1. Use good body mechanics and follow stretcher safety rules
  2. Place the bed and stretcher 12 to 18 inches apart
  3. Unlock the stretcher and bed wheels before starting the move
  4. Place the person’s arms around your neck during the move
CORRECT. When moving a patient to a stretcher, practice good body mechanics and follow stretcher safety rules.
INCORRECT. When moving a patient to a stretcher, practice good body mechanics and follow stretcher safety rules.
INCORRECT. When moving a patient to a stretcher, practice good body mechanics and follow stretcher safety rules.
INCORRECT. When moving a patient to a stretcher, practice good body mechanics and follow stretcher safety rules.

Select the best answer.

3. How many staff members are required to move a 250-pound man to a stretcher, using a lateral sliding aid?

  1. One
  2. Two
  3. Three
  4. Four
INCORRECT. If the person weighs more than 200 pounds, OSHA recommends three staff members when a lateral sliding aid is used.
INCORRECT. If the person weighs more than 200 pounds, OSHA recommends three staff members when a lateral sliding aid is used.
CORRECT. If the person weighs more than 200 pounds, OSHA recommends three staff members when a lateral sliding aid is used.
INCORRECT. If the person weighs more than 200 pounds, OSHA recommends three staff members when a lateral sliding aid is used.

Select the best answer.

4. After moving a person to a stretcher, what should you do?

  1. Fasten the safety straps
  2. Lower the side rails
  3. Lock the stretcher wheels
  4. Remove all pillows
CORRECT. Once the person has been moved to a stretcher, fasten the safety straps, raise the side rails, and unlock the stretcher wheels.
INCORRECT. Once the person has been moved to a stretcher, fasten the safety straps, raise the side rails, and unlock the stretcher wheels.
INCORRECT. Once the person has been moved to a stretcher, fasten the safety straps, raise the side rails, and unlock the stretcher wheels.
INCORRECT. Once the person has been moved to a stretcher, fasten the safety straps, raise the side rails, and unlock the stretcher wheels.

Select the best answer.

5. After moving the person to a stretcher, what information should you report and record?

  1. All safety measures used in the move
  2. Who assisted with moving the person
  3. What equipment was used for the move
  4. Where the person was transported to
INCORRECT. After moving the person to a stretcher, you should report and record the time of the transport, where the person was transported to, who went with him or her, and how the transfer was tolerated.
INCORRECT. After moving the person to a stretcher, you should report and record the time of the transport, where the person was transported to, who went with him or her, and how the transfer was tolerated.
INCORRECT. After moving the person to a stretcher, you should report and record the time of the transport, where the person was transported to, who went with him or her, and how the transfer was tolerated.
CORRECT. After moving the person to a stretcher, you should report and record the time of the transport, where the person was transported to, who went with him or her, and how the transfer was tolerated.

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