Safety Guide for Manually Transferring People from Beds and Chairs

MWhen transferring people from beds or chairs, there is always a risk of the patient falling and hurting themselves; or, if not done correctly, the person doing the transferring from wheelchair cushion may become injured. For those whose job involves transferring people, the risk of sustaining a sprain or strain is quite high, so it is essential that they carry out their duties with the utmost care and attention to avoid getting hurt.

Safety Measures

To reduce the risk of injury, always follow the correct procedure for transferring a person from a bed or chair. Some key points to remember are:

• Always make sure the brakes are activated when transferring a person from a wheelchair.
• Ensure the height of the bed is adjusted to the correct position before initiating the transfer.
• Talk with the person that is being transferred to see how much they are able to assist. The more cooperation and participation from the person being transferred, the easier it will be for you and less chance there is of sustaining any injuries.

Transferring a person from a bed to chair (self-assisted or uses aid)

This will typically only require one worker as the person being transferred is able to assist. Workers should follow these steps:

1. Help move the person into a sitting position on the side of the bed with their feet on the floor.
2. Ensure the chair is placed next to the bed with its nearside arm lowered or removed altogether.
3. If needed, use a slideboard to place under the person’s nearside buttock and across the chair.
4. Have the person grab the far arm of the chair while ensuring their feet are facing in the direction you need to turn.
5. Urge the person to lift up their buttocks and slide across the slideboard and onto the chair.
6. Then simply remove the slideboard and reinsert or raise the arm of the chair.

Transferring a person from a bed to chair (using an overhead tracking hoist and walking sling)

Even with the assistance of the person, this will require two workers. The following steps should be taken:

1. Help move the person into a sitting position on the side of the bed with their feet on the floor.
2. Position and fasten the walking sling to the person and attach the overhead tracking hoist.
3. Have the person stand but make sure they are stable. Use mobilizing aids such as a wheely walker or crutches if necessary.
4. Advise the person to use their arms and legs to support themselves as they stand.
5. Have the person walk to the chair, then line the back of their legs up with the edge of the seat. Get them to then lean forward and take hold of the chair arms with both hands and sit down.
6. Finally, unhook and remove the sling and oxygen machine (if using one) .

Transferring a person from chair to chair (self-assisted or uses aid)

This will typically only require one worker since the person being transferred is able to assist. Workers should follow these steps:

1. Move the second chair next to the first ensuring both near side arms have been lowered or removed altogether.
2. If needed, use a slideboard to place under the person’s nearside buttock and across the second chair.
3. Make sure the person’s feet are facing in the direction you’re moving.
4. Tell the person to grab hold of the far arm of the second chair.
5. Have the person raise their buttocks up and across onto the slideboard, then shift their body over to the second chair.
6. Finally, remove the sideboard and reinsert or raise the arm of the chair.

Transferring a person from chair to chair (using an electric sling hoist)

This will require the help of two workers. The following steps should be taken:

1. Have the person lean forward and position the sling behind their back and under their legs.
2. Hook up the sling to the hoist.
3. Using the hoist, lift the person up out of the chair and lower them into the second chair.
4. Lastly, unhook the sling from the hoist and remove by asking the person to simply raise their legs and lean forward.