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Assisting the Resident to Transfer from the Bed to a Chair or Wheelchair

Written by Hollie Finders, RN
Hollie Finders is a registered nurse with years of experience working in the health care field. She has degrees in both biochemistry and nursing. After working with patients of all ages, Hollie now specializes in pediatric intensive care nursing. Hollie’s LinkedIn

Procedure

Equipment needed: gait belt, non-skid footwear, and chair or wheelchair.

  1. Perform hand hygiene.
  2. Explain the procedure to the resident and ask for his or her assistance in following directions.
  3. Place a chair or wheelchair right next to the bed on the resident’s unaffected side. The chair should be at the head of the bed and facing the foot of the bed.
  4. Lock the wheels of the chair or wheelchair if applicable.
  5. Assist the resident in sitting on the side of the bed. Raise or lower the bed so the resident’s feet are flat on the floor. Apply non-skid footwear to the resident’s feet.
  6. If available, fasten a gait belt securely around the resident’s waist.
  7. Stand in front of the resident and assume a proper lifting position. Align your legs with the resident’s legs to prevent him or her from slipping.
  8. If using a gait belt, firmly grasp the belt on both sides of the resident. If no gait belt is available, wrap your arms around the resident’s torso, keeping his or her arms free.
  9. Ask the resident to stand while supporting his or her movement. You may instruct the resident to push off the bed to assist in standing.
  10. Instruct the resident to take small, slow steps toward the chair. Have the resident pivot so that the backs of his or her legs are touching the chair.
  11. Tell the resident to reach backward and grab the chair’s armrests. Then, gently lower the resident into the chair as he or she sits down.
  12. Ensure the resident’s bottom is all the way back in the chair. Align the resident’s body and support with pillows, if needed.
  13. Remove the gait belt.
  14. Attach footrests to the wheelchair if needed, or raise the footrest on the chair if desired.
  15. Transport the resident by wheelchair or place the call light within the resident’s reach.
  16. Perform hand hygiene.
  17. Document the procedure in the resident’s chart and report any changes in the resident’s condition to the nurse.

Important Information

It is important to remember on which side to place the chair when assisting a patient in transferring. Putting the chair on the resident’s unaffected side allows the resident to lead with his or her strong extremity. This eases the procedure for the resident and reduces the risk of falling [1].

A gait belt should always be used when available and appropriate for the resident’s condition. A gait belt is not used for lifting, but instead is used to help guide a resident’s movements [1]. Gait belts also give the health care worker something to hold onto while the resident transfers and can be used to help lower the resident to the floor if he or she begins to fall.

References

1. Guidelines for Nursing Homes

More Resources

Axillary Temperature with Electronic Thermometer

Compared to other temperature measurement methods, the axillary measurement is considered the least reliable. An axillary temperature measurement typically reads 0.5 to 1 degree Fahrenheit lower than an oral temperature reading [1]. For this reason, it is recommended to use this method only when other methods are contraindicated or when taking an axillary temperature is the safest method for the patient.

Using a Gait / Transfer Belt to Assist the Resident to Ambulate

Walking (aka, ambulating) helps residents maintain mobility and independence, and prevents complications. However, ambulation must be done safely so that the resident does not have a fall or injury. A gait or transfer belt, when properly used, can increase resident safety. Gait belts can vary between facilities, so make sure you know how to use the one in your facility.

Indwelling Catheter Care

Indwelling catheters allow urine to drain from the bladder. They are used when residents are unable to urinate on their own or when the process of cleaning the resident after urination would be difficult for the resident to tolerate (such as during end of life care). Caring for the catheter appropriately is a vital part of preventing infection and skin breakdown.

Oral Temperature Measurement with an Electronic Monitor

Body temperature is one of the vital signs frequently measured in healthcare settings. Changes in a body temperature can indicate improvement or worsening of a patient’s condition, so accurate measurement is important.

Moving the Resident from a Bed to a Stretcher or Gurney

Moving a patient from a bed to a stretcher can pose huge safety risks to both the patient and to the health care workers completing the transfer. Always use the appropriate amount of people to complete a transfer, which may vary according to the patient’s weight and/or the facility’s policy. In some cases, a mechanical lift may be needed.

Fowler’s Position

Fowler’s position is used when a patient is eating, is having difficulty breathing, or is ordered by a doctor. This position is easily recognized because the patient will be sitting “straight up.” Semi-Fowler’s is sitting “half-way up,” and is used when patients cannot be laid flat, but wish to be in a more relaxed position than Fowler’s.

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