8.10 Skills Checklist: Transfer From Bed to Chair With Sit-to-Stand
1. Gather Supplies: Wheelchair, lift, and nonskid footwear. Check agency policy for assistance requirements and the client’s care plan for current transfer status.
2. Routine Pre-Procedure Steps:
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- Knock on the client’s door.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Introduce yourself and identify the resident.
- Maintain respectful, courteous, and professional communication at all times.
- Provide for privacy.
- Explain the procedure to the client.
3. Procedural Steps:
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- Position the wheelchair appropriately, remove the foot pedals, and lock the brakes. Provide ample room to rotate the lift from the bed to the wheelchair without hitting other objects.
- Place the transfer sling under the resident’s armpits with the handles facing away from the resident.
- Secure the transfer sling with the seat belt or by crossing the sling straps following manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Raise the bed to allow the legs of the lift to go underneath the bed.
- Open the legs of the lift if the bed allows room to do so.
- Ask the resident to put their feet onto the base of the lift. When bringing the lift closer to the resident, ensure that the arms of the lift do not hit the resident’s head or arms.
- Secure the strap at the base of the lift around the calves of the resident if available.
- Check that the resident’s feet are completely on the base.
- Place the sling behind the resident’s back and under their armpits on both sides. Secure the sling clasp in front of the patient around their chest/waist.
- Connect the transfer sling to the lift ensuring equal length is attached on each side of the sling.
- Instruct the resident to place their hands on the handles of the lift arms.
- Check that the sling remains under both of the resident’s armpits and their arms are outside of the lift arms.
- Ensure the resident is not experiencing any dizziness before they stand.
- Instruct the resident that you will begin raising the lift. Ask them to pull up with their arms and straighten their legs. (If the resident is not currently able to perform these actions, a sit-to-stand should not be used.)
- Use the lift to raise the resident to a standing position.
- Slowly move the lift away from the bed. Open the legs of the lift if they are closed underneath the bed.
- Slowly move the lift towards the wheelchair.
- After the back of the resident’s knees touch the wheelchair seat, explain that you will lower them to the chair. Do not apply the brakes on the lift because they can cause the resident’s legs to be compressed by the lift as they are lowered to the chair.
- While lowering the resident into the wheelchair, assist them to sit all the way back in the wheelchair by guiding the handle on the sling towards the back of the wheelchair seat.
- After the resident is seated in the chair, remove the leg strap and sling from the lift. Instruct the resident to release their hands from the lift.
- Slowly move the lift away from the resident, ensuring the lift does not hit the resident’s head or arms.
- Ask the resident to lean slightly forward and remove the sling.
- Release the wheelchair brakes.
4. Post-Procedure Steps:
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- Check on resident comfort and ask if anything else is needed.
- Ensure the bed is low and locked. Check the brakes.
- Place the call light or signaling device within reach of the resident.
- Open the door and privacy curtain.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Document and report any skin issues, pain with movement, or any other changes noted with the resident.
View a YouTube video[1] of an instructor demonstration of transfer from bed to chair with a sit to stand:
- Chippewa Valley Technical College. (2022, December 3). Transfer from Bed to Chair with a Sit to Stand. [Video]. YouTube. Video licensed under CC BY 4.0. https://youtu.be/zs_CIYylxtU ↵