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0 Healthy CoinsMoving a patient from bed to chair is one of the top causes of injury for both the patient and the caregiver. Safe transfers rest on four ideas: assess the patient's ability before you commit — and reassess mobility each shift because it changes — use a gait belt for a secure hold only when the patient can bear weight and participate, protect your spine with body mechanics, and use a mechanical lift per your facility's safe-patient-handling policy for a dependent patient who cannot bear weight or assist.
Do not fight gravity. Use the gait belt and your body to ease them down to the floor or nearest surface, protect the head, and call for help. A controlled lower protects you both.
Check strength and weight-bearing ability — and reassess each shift because it changes — then match the method: a gait belt with standby help only if the patient can bear weight and participate, or a mechanical lift per your facility's safe-patient-handling policy for a dependent patient who cannot bear weight or assist.
Apply a gait belt, lock the chair's wheels, non-skid footwear, clear the path, and explain and count "1-2-3" so you move together.
Feet apart, bend the knees, back straight, lift with your legs, keep the patient close, and pivot instead of twisting.
If the knees buckle, ease them down protecting the head and call for help — never strain to hold a falling patient upright.
Four questions. Best answers earn + 💧. Finishing marks this Deeper Dive complete.
You move patients now — protecting them and yourself.
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