copyright © 2005 mosby, inc. all rights reserved. slide 1 chapter 6 lifting and moving patients

Copyright © 2005 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 2

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Lifting and Moving PatientsLifting and Moving Patients


OverviewOverview Body MechanicsBody Mechanics

LiftingLifting CarryingCarrying ReachingReaching Pushing and PullingPushing and Pulling

Principles of Moving PatientsPrinciples of Moving Patients Emergency MovesEmergency Moves Urgent MovesUrgent Moves Nonurgent MovesNonurgent Moves

EquipmentEquipment


Lifting TechniquesLifting Techniques Safety precautionsSafety precautions

Use legs, not back, to liftUse legs, not back, to lift Keep weight as close to body as possibleKeep weight as close to body as possible Consider weight of patient and need for additional Consider weight of patient and need for additional

helphelp Know physical ability and limitationsKnow physical ability and limitations Lift without twistingLift without twisting Have feet positioned properlyHave feet positioned properly Communicate clearly and frequently with partnerCommunicate clearly and frequently with partner


Improper Lifting TechniqueImproper Lifting Technique

Improper lifting Improper lifting technique with back technique with back twistedtwisted


Proper Lifting TechniqueProper Lifting Technique


Proper Lifting TechniqueProper Lifting Technique

Know the weight limitations of the devices!


Guidelines for StretchersGuidelines for Stretchers

When possible use a stair chair instead of a When possible use a stair chair instead of a stretcher, if medically appropriatestretcher, if medically appropriate



Know Know or find out the weight or find out the weight to be liftedto be lifted Use at Use at least two peopleleast two people Ensure Ensure enough help enough help availableavailable Use an even Use an even number of people number of people to lift so that to lift so that

balance is maintainedbalance is maintained Know or find out Know or find out the weight limitations the weight limitations of of

equipment being usedequipment being used



Using power-lift or Using power-lift or squat-liftsquat-lift position position Use Use power grip power grip to get maximumto get maximum

force from handsforce from hands Lift while keeping back in Lift while keeping back in locked-inlocked-in

positionposition When lowering cot or stretcher, reverse stepsWhen lowering cot or stretcher, reverse steps Avoid bending at the waistAvoid bending at the waist


CarryingCarrying

Precautions for carrying—whenever possible, Precautions for carrying—whenever possible, transport patients on devices that can be rolledtransport patients on devices that can be rolled

It is always best to let the equipment perform the work.


Correct Carrying Procedure Correct Carrying Procedure

Use correct lifting Use correct lifting techniques to lift the techniques to lift the stretcherstretcher

Partners should Partners should have similar have similar strength and heightstrength and height


One-Handed Carrying Technique One-Handed Carrying Technique

Pick up and carry with the back in Pick up and carry with the back in the locked-the locked-in positionin position

Avoid leaning to either side Avoid leaning to either side to compensate for to compensate for the imbalancethe imbalance


Carrying Procedure on StairsCarrying Procedure on Stairs

When possible, use When possible, use a stair chair a stair chair instead of a instead of a stretcher stretcher

Keep Keep back in locked-inback in locked-in position position Flex at the hips, not the waistFlex at the hips, not the waist; bend at the ; bend at the

kneesknees Keep weight and arms as Keep weight and arms as close to the body close to the body as as

possiblepossible


Carrying Procedure on StairsCarrying Procedure on Stairs

A stair chair provides more flexibility for handling and transporting patients in narrow or steep areas.


Reaching GuidelinesReaching Guidelines

Keep back in Keep back in locked-in position locked-in position

When reaching overhead, avoid When reaching overhead, avoid hyperextended positionhyperextended position

Avoid Avoid twisting the back twisting the back while reachingwhile reaching


Reaching TechniquesReaching Techniques

Avoid reaching Avoid reaching more than 15–20 inches more than 15–20 inches in in front of the bodyfront of the body

Avoid situations where prolonged Avoid situations where prolonged (more than (more than 1 minute) 1 minute) strenuous effort is needed to avoid strenuous effort is needed to avoid injuryinjury


Correct Reaching for Log RollsCorrect Reaching for Log Rolls

Keep back straight while leaning over patientKeep back straight while leaning over patient

Lean from the hipsLean from the hips

Use shoulder muscles to help with rollUse shoulder muscles to help with roll


Principles of Moving PatientsPrinciples of Moving Patients

Emergency movesEmergency moves

Urgent movesUrgent moves

Nonurgent movesNonurgent moves


Emergency MovesEmergency Moves There is an immediate danger to the patient if There is an immediate danger to the patient if

not movednot moved Fire or danger of fireFire or danger of fire Explosives or other hazardous materialsExplosives or other hazardous materials Inability to protect the patient from other hazards at Inability to protect the patient from other hazards at

the scenethe scene Inability to gain access to other patients in a Inability to gain access to other patients in a

vehicle who need lifesaving carevehicle who need lifesaving care Lifesaving care cannot be given because of the Lifesaving care cannot be given because of the

patient’s location or positionpatient’s location or position


Urgent MovesUrgent Moves

Altered mental statusAltered mental status

Inadequate breathingInadequate breathing

Shock (hypoperfusion)Shock (hypoperfusion)


Nonurgent MovesNonurgent Moves

If there is no threat to life, the patient should If there is no threat to life, the patient should be moved when ready for transportation be moved when ready for transportation (nonurgent move)(nonurgent move)


Emergency Moves Emergency Moves

Clothes dragClothes drag


Emergency MovesEmergency Moves

Blanket dragBlanket drag


Emergency MovesEmergency Moves

Pulling the patient Pulling the patient under the armsunder the arms


Nonurgent Moves Nonurgent Moves

Direct ground lift Direct ground lift



Extremity lift Extremity lift



Stretcher to bed transferStretcher to bed transfer


EquipmentEquipment

Stretchers and CotsStretchers and Cots


Wheeled StretcherWheeled Stretcher


Portable Stretcher Portable Stretcher


Scoop Stretcher Scoop Stretcher


Flexible Stretcher Flexible Stretcher


Basket Stretcher Basket Stretcher


Stair Chair Stair Chair


Long BackboardLong Backboard


Seated Spinal DevicesSeated Spinal Devices


Patient PositioningPatient Positioning

SupineSupine



Fowler’sFowler’s



RecoveryRecovery



Pregnant patientPregnant patient



Children should be Children should be secured in car seats secured in car seats for transportfor transport


SummarySummary Body MechanicsBody Mechanics

LiftingLifting CarryingCarrying ReachingReaching Pushing and PullingPushing and Pulling

Principles of Moving PatientsPrinciples of Moving Patients Emergency MovesEmergency Moves Urgent MovesUrgent Moves Nonurgent MovesNonurgent Moves

EquipmentEquipment

copyright © 2005 mosby, inc. all rights reserved. slide 1 chapter 6 lifting and moving patients

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