LIFTING & MOVING PATIENTS
Learn to Lift Correctly Now or Suffer the Consequences Later. Back Problems Can Last a Lifetime !
LIFTING & MOVING
TOPIC OVERVIEW
- Using "Body Mechanics" to Lift Can Prevent Injury
- When to Move a Patient & Do It Safely
- Devices Used to Immobilize, Move & Carry Patients
LIFTING & MOVING
- Use Legs, Not Back, For Lifting
- Keep Load Close to Body
LIFTING & MOVING
- Know Your Limitations
- Know Your Equipment’s Limitations
LIFTING & MOVING
- Communicate
- Before Any Lift
- Learn to Count
LIFTING & MOVING
- Twisting
- Keep it on the Dance Floor
- Don’t Twist When Lifting
- Position Feet
- Firmly Planted
- Shoulder Width
LIFTING & MOVING
- Know How Much Weight You’re Going to Lift
- Use at Least 2 People
- Have Enough Help?
- Even Number to Balance
LIFTING & MOVING
- Stairchair
- Steps
- Steep Grade
- Uneven Footing
- When Medically Able
LIFTING & MOVING
- What Do You Do When the Limitations Are Exceeded?
- Discuss
BODY MECHANICS
- Power-Lift
- Lock Back
- Feet Comfortable
- Abdominal Muscles Will Lock Back
- Straddle Object
- Stand
- Upper Body Up Before Hips
BODY MECHANICS
- Power-Grip
- Maximum Force
- All Fingers & Palm
- At Least 10" Apart
- Hands Are Only Point of Contact
BODY MECHANICS
- Keep Back Locked
- Don’t Let Lower Back Roll Out
- Avoid Bending at the Waist
- Avoid Reaching More Than 15 - 20 Inches In Front of Your Body
CARRYING
- Put Body Mechanics to Work
- Know Weight & Crews Limitations
- Communicate
- Weight Close to Body
- Back Locked Into Position, No Twisting
- Flex Hips, Not the Waist; Bend Knees
- Don’t Hyperextend Back
- Don’t Lean Back From Waist
- Partner Should Have Similar Height & Strength
- Hahaha! What World Do You Live In?
- One Handed Carry Technique
- Carry With Back Locked
- Avoid Leaning to Compensate for the Imbalance
- Carrying On Stairs
- Keep Weight Close
- Do I Need to Repeat Hips, Waist, Knees & Back ?
REACHING
- If Overhead
- Avoid Hyperextending
- Avoid Twisting
- Don’t Overextend When Reaching
- No More Than 15 – 20" In Front of Body
- Avoid Prolonged Strenuous Effort
- Log Roll Maneuvers
- Back Straight, Lean From Hips
- Use Your Shoulder Muscles
PUSHING & PULLING
- Push, Rather Than Pull
- Whenever Possible
- Keep Load Centered
- Keep Weight Close
- Avoid Overhead P or P
- If Load is Below Waist
- Kneel if Possible
PRINCIPLES OF MOVING PTs.
- Emergency Moves – Immediately
- PROTECT YOURSELF FIRST
- Patient is in Immediate Danger
- Fire or Danger of Fire
- Explosives or Other Haz-Mat
- Inability to Protect Patient From Other Hazards
- To Gain Access to Others That Need Life-Saving Care
EMERGENCY MOVES
- Greatest Risk - Aggravating Spinal Injury
- Life Before Limb
- Pull Patient In Direction of Long Axis
- This Will Provide Some Protection to Spine
- Emergency Removal From MVA
- Impossible to Protect Spine
URGENT MOVES
- Rapid Extrication From MVA
- Immediate Threat to Life
- Altered LOC
- Inadequate Breathing
- Shock
- Maintain C-Spine Stabilization Throughout
- Apply "C" Collar
- Several Moves to Maintain Spinal Alignment
- Need Lots of Help - EMS, FF, PD, Bystanders
NON-URGENT MOVES
- No Possibility of Spinal Injury
- Direct Ground Lift
- All On Same Side, Lots of Hands, Coordinated Roll & Lift
- Extremity Lift
- Thru Pits, Grab Wrists, and Under Knees
NON-URGENT MOVES
- No Possibility of Spinal Injury
- From Bed to Stretcher
- Direct Carry
- Similar to Direct Ground Lift
- Lots of Hands & Room - Big Turn
- Draw Sheet
- Easiest
- Reach Across Cot, Slide Patient Over
EQUIPMENT
- Wheeled Stretcher
- Most Common Device
- Pull Foot End
- Smooth Surface
- Top Heavy – Extended
- Carrying Stretcher
- 2 Rescuers
- Face Each Other
- Easily Unbalanced
- 1 Each Corner
- Less Strength Needed
- More Stable
- Safer Over Rough Terrain
EQUIPMENT
- Stair Chair
- Steps
- Narrow Areas
- Not Recommended
- Unconscious
- Disoriented
- Instruct Patients
- DO NOT REACH
- Hold Belt Straps
EQUIPMENT
- Spine Board
- aka: Long Board, 6’ Board
- Spinal Injuries
- Secure Patient
- 9’ Straps
- Speed Clips
- Scoop Stretcher or Orthopedic Stretcher
- Scoop Patient
- Disconnect Clips at Both Ends
- Not a Primary Spinal Immobilization Device
- Reeves Stretcher or Reeves Blanket
- No Spinal Protection
- Easy to Use
- Comfortable Handles
- Wooden Slats
- Wraps Patient
- Feels More Secure
Patient Positioning
- Part of patient care plan
- Must not cause harm to patient
- Must be safe
- What is the patient’s position?
- Is there a suspected spinal cord injury?
- Any Patient Suspected to Have a Spinal Injury
- IMMOBILIZE ON A SPINE BOARD
- Unresponsive Patient – No Spinal Injury
- Recovery Position, Left Side (preferred)
- Chest Pain or Discomfort
- Position of Comfort
- As Long as Hypotension is Not Present
- Shortness of Breath
- Position of Comfort
- Usually Upright
- No Hypotension
- Shock (Hypotensive)
- Legs Elevated 8-12 Inches
- Pregnant with Hypotension
- Position On Left Side
- Nausea and/or Vomiting
- Position of Comfort
- Place Yourself to Be Able to Control Airway
- If Immobilized – Roll Entire Board
- Someone Needs to Monitor Airway
- By Yourself ? – Roll Toward You
- Try to Miss Barf !!!