Transferring a Patient From Bed to Chair

Transferring a Patient From Bed to Chair

Equipment
■ Nonlatex gloves, if you may be exposed to body fluids.
■ Transfer roller sheet.
■ Transfer board.
■ Gait transfer belt.

Assessment
■ Assess:
■ Level of consciousness, ability to follow directions, and ability to assist with the move.
■ Patient’s physical size and your own ability to move her.
■ Restrictions in movement or position.
■ Patient’s level of comfort.
■ Presence of equipment such as IV lines, drains, or catheters.
■ Possible side effects of medications (e.g., dizziness and sedation).
■ VS.
■ Monitor for postural hypotension.
■ Before transferring a patient to a chair, assess her tolerance of dangling.

Post-Procedure Reassessment
■ Level of patient participation in the transfer.
■ Comfort level during the transfer and in the new position.
■ Proper body position and alignment after position change.
■ VS for postural hypotension.

Key Points
■ Be Safe! Instruct the patient to wear nonskid footwear (slippers or shoes).
■ Place the bed in the low position, and lock the wheels.
■ Assist the patient to dangle at the side of the bed.
■ Brace your feet and knees against the patient. Bend your hips and knees, and hold onto the transfer belt.
■ If two nurses are available to assist with the transfer, one nurse should be on each side of the patient.
■ Be Smart! Instruct the patient to place her arms around you between your shoulders and waist. (The location depends on the height of the patient and the nurses.) Ask the patient to stand as you move to an upright position by straightening your legs and hips.
■ Instruct the patient to pivot and turn with you toward the chair.
■ Ask the patient to flex her hips and knees as she lowers herself to the chair. Guide her motion while maintaining a firm hold on her.
■ Be Safe! If the chair is a wheelchair, lock the wheels.

Documentation
■ Moving patients to a chair is a routine aspect of care and may not be documented.
■ For nursing notes, document:
■ How much assistance was required.
■ Use of assistive devices.
■ Any problems with positioning the patient.
■ How long the patient was out of bed.
■ How the patient tolerated the activity.

Transferring a patient from bed to chair by bracing feet and knees

against the patient

Transferring a patient from bed to chair using a transfer belt