8.11 Skills Checklist: Transfer From Bed to Chair With Mechanical Lift
1. Gather Supplies: Mechanical lift, lift sling, second person to assist, and a wheelchair. Review agency policy for mechanical lifts. NOTE: The driver of the lift must be at least 18 years old.
2. Routine Pre-Procedure Steps:
-
- 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. Procedure Steps:
-
- Raise the bed to a working height.
- Instruct the resident to cross their arms over their chest to avoid rolling on top of their arm.
- Using the lift sheet, roll the resident to one side. Coordinate movement with the resident and the second assistant to avoid injury.
- Position the lift sling underneath the resident from the shoulders to the buttocks. Fan-fold the sling in the middle to allow the second assistant to pull it through on the other side. The handles should be facing away from the resident.
- Ensure the lift sling is on top of the lift sheet.
- Inform the resident they will be rolling over the gathered fabric of the sling.
- (Second assistant) Using the lift sheet, initiate rolling the resident towards the first assistant with the resident’s arms still crossed, coordinating movement with the resident and first assistant.
- (Second assistant) Pull the lift sling from underneath the resident, smoothing out any wrinkles.
- Using the lift sheet, gently roll the resident back to the supine position.
- Check that the resident is positioned in the center of the lift sling and their head and knees will be properly supported when lifted.
- Check the body alignment of the resident.
- Move the full-body mechanical lift into position over the resident, ensuring the lift does not come into contact with any part of the resident.
- Raise the head of the bed to avoid pulling on the sling when connecting it to the lift.
- Hook the top loops of the sling to the lift per manufacturer’s guidelines, ensuring the loops are the same lengths on each side.
- Hook the bottom loops of the sling to lift per manufacturer’s guidelines, ensuring the loops are the same lengths on each side.
- Position the wheelchair appropriately and lock the brakes. Provide ample room to rotate the lift from the bed to the wheelchair without hitting other objects.
- Recline the wheelchair slightly if able.
- Instruct the resident to cross their arms over their chest.
- Prepare to support the resident’s feet by having the second assistant move to the same side of the bed as the driver and the lift.
- Inform the resident you will be raising the lift and moving them to the wheelchair.
- Raise the lift until the resident is no longer in contact with the bed while the second assistant guides the resident’s feet.
- Position the resident over the wheelchair with the main support of the lift to one side, thus avoiding the resident’s feet coming into contact with the lift support.
- After the driver of the lift moves behind the wheelchair, have the resident grasp the handles on the lift sling.
- Instruct the resident you will be lowering the lift sling.
- (Second assistant) Lower the lift while the driver gently pulls up on the sling to get the resident’s back positioned upright and against the back of the wheelchair.
- (Second assistant) Guide the resident’s feet to keep their body aligned and avoid coming in contact with the left.
- Remove the sling from the lift after the resident is properly seated.
- Carefully move the lift away from the resident, avoiding the resident’s head and limbs from coming into contact with the lift.
- Tuck the lift sling into the wheelchair, keeping the fabric smooth to avoid skin issues and keeping loops away from any moving parts of the wheelchair.
4. Post-Procedure Steps:
-
- 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 mechanical lift:
- Chippewa Valley Technical College. (2022, December 3). Transfer from Bed to Chair with a Mechanical Lift. [Video]. YouTube. Video licensed under CC BY 4.0. https://youtu.be/sqkE7MNndyE ↵