People with physical disabilities are often either partially or wholly dependent, meaning they require help for movement. Bedridden and wheelchair-supported people need help to be transferred from one place to another. While one can move around in a wheelchair, a wheelchair cannot access all areas freely, for example, stairs, busy roads, etc. Therefore, transferring becomes necessary. Transferring a bedridden person from one to another is essential to control bedsores and blood clots. It also keeps the blood flowing and takes the pressure off the skin.
Transfers, however, must be done very carefully and delicately. Wrong transfer can be dangerous for the patient and the one undertaking it. It can cause pain and injury. Thus, it is essential to let only professionals and trained individuals allow transfers. Nurses, ward boys, caregivers of wheelchair transport services, etc., take special training in this field and thus know the proper technique.
If you are caring for a disabled person at home, you should know the proper techniques to ensure you are not hurting them. In this article, we shall discuss the procedure and safety tips you should keep in your mind while making a transfer.
How to Make a Wheelchair Transfer
People with disabilities should visit their doctors frequently. There could be several reasons to visit your doctor regularly, but ensuring that the transfer does not harm the patient is imperative.
Most importantly, you must acquire the proper form. Protect your lower back by keeping your body in a straight line. Keep your back and waist aligned and strong when lifting the patient. Keep your head and chest straight and feet wide apart for your body to balance the other person’s weight. Before moving the patient, stand close to them. Now lift them with your back. While lifting and moving, keep the person’s arms crossed over the chest. Lift the person’s torso instead of arms or neck. Likewise, do not allow them to hang their hands around your neck. This could cause injury to you.
Inaccurate transfer can not only cause harm to the patient, but it can also prove dangerous for you. Most people do not wish to take that risk and hire professionals who will safely deal with the matter. It is one of the primary reasons why people are acknowledging the importance of non-emergency medical transportation. NEMT services not only transport disabled people from one spot to another but also employ professionals for transfers. The professionals involved in making transfers ensure both the people involved in the task are safe and comfortable.
Things to Do Before Transferring a Patient
- Inspect the patient’s pain or injury before attempting a transfer. Skin tears are common when making transfers; thus, look for sores, rashes, cuts, and bruises.
- Get pillows and cushions for support and comfort.
Clear the room of anything that might make you trip over. - Wear non-slip soles when making the transfer.
- Make sure you have locked the wheels of the wheelchair before you begin the transfer. The chair should not move when you place them on it.
Things to Do After Transferring a Patient
- Adjust the person according to their comfort. Adjust the pillows and slide a sheet on the bed.
- Take help from another person, if possible, when adjusting the patient.
- If the person is placed in a wheelchair, help them rest their back in a comfortable position.
- Check medical equipment that they might need.
Things to Remember When Making a Transfer
- Keep your body upright and your feet firmly grounded. This will help you bear the patient’s weight when making the transfer. It would help if you had immense control over your feet and torso.
- Do not let go of the person at any point when making a transfer. If you must do so, let another person hold them first.
- It is best to try not to undertake the task all by yourself. Get help if you can.
- Do not, at any point, bend your back or slouch when making the transfer. This will make you lose your balance and fall along with the patient.
- Take your time, and do not rush with the process. Make sure you are handling the person delicately.
- Avoid touching the patient’s sore areas and pain spots.
Pros of Hiring Professional Help
Whether to transport home from hospital or to go for a holiday, a bedridden or wheelchair-bound person must be transferred from one place to another. The transferring process is not a cakewalk and might take a novice several months to learn. It can be dangerous for a nonprofessional to try making transfers. He can either end up hurting the patient or himself or both. Therefore, hiring professional help seems like the best option for people who are not confident enough to undertake the task.
Professionals are taught to handle every situation with skill. They have practiced and had enough experience to do the best job. It minimizes the risk of injury and pain to a great extent.
Transferring a person safely from one place to another is very important as you would not want their condition to worsen. If you are confident about your skill, you can indeed undertake the task, but if you have doubts, it is better to not take risks and hire professionals.