Common Foundation Programme - Moving and Handling

A guide to the Moving and Handling sessions in the Common Foundation Programme (module 2) for both staff and students.

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Session 6: The immobile patient and lateral transfers

Aims and intended learning outcomes
The dependent patient
Handling aids in lateral transfers
Rolling the immobile patient in bed
Rolling the immobile patient on sliding sheets
Transferring a patient from bed to trolley
Sitting the immobile patient up in bed giving neck support
Sitting the immobile patient up in bed without giving neck support

Aims

To allow the student to observe and practice moving clients with severe physical restriction.

Intended learning outcomes

The student will be able to demonstrate the following:

• rolling the immobile patient in bed
• transferring the patient from bed to trolley
• sitting the immobile patient up in bed

The dependent patient

This type of patient is unable to assist with the transfer and may cause additional difficulties in that he/she has no control over muscle tone, providing an uncontrollable load.

Adjustable height trolleys are always to be used, and the use of poles and canvases must be avoided.

Handling Aids in lateral transfers

Assessment of available equipment:

• Will you need to use equipment?
• How familiar is the nurse with the equipment?
• Is the patient familiar with and confident in using the equipment?

The equipment of choice is the easy-slide/roller board.

Rolling the immobile patient in bed

• Give clear and concise instructions to the patient
• Put bed in the optimum position
• Position the patient's - head, arms and legs
• Keeping your back straight place your knees in line with the patients hips
• Encourage the patient to roll towards you

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Rolling the immobile patient on sliding sheets

using long sliding sheet

Transferring a patient from bed to trolley

Transfer of a patient from bed to bed, trolley or couch on a rolling board.

Sitting the immobile patient up in bed giving neck support

	Cupping the hands behind the patients shoulders place the knee on the bed and straighten your back.
	Sit the patient up and support the head.
	Support patient until back rest is in position.

Sitting the immobile patient in bed without giving neck support

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Moving and handling home page  |  FHHS Intranet home page

These pages have been prepared by Colin Baker, Safety Co-ordinator.