Definition
Transferring a patient between a bed and a stretcher is a critical lateral transfer technique used when a patient is immobile, unconscious, or has limited mobility. It requires team coordination, proper body mechanics, and safety precautions to prevent injury to both the patient and healthcare providers.
Purposes
- To transfer patients safely.
- To maintain proper body alignment.
Articles
- Stretcher
- Roller bar (optional)
Procedure
| Nursing action | Rationale | |
| 1 | Explain procedure to patient and how he has to cooperate. | Helps in obtaining patient’s participation. |
| 2 | Adjust the patient’s bed in preparation for the transfer Adjust the bed to be in flat position. Raise the bed/stretcher, from where the patient is to be transferred to a slightly higher level. Ensure that the wheels of the bed and stretcher are locked. Untuck the draw sheet out from both sides of the bed. | Facilitates easy transfer. Placing patient in flat position facilities easy transfer Facilitates easy transfer of patient by pulling downward with less force avoids accidental moving of bed or stretcher during procedure. |
| 3 | Move patient to the edge of the bed and position the stretcher. Roll draw sheet to the patient’s side. position the patient to the edge of the bed and cover patient with a sheet. Place the stretcher parallel to the bed next to the patient and lock its wheels. | |
| 4 | Position yourself for the transfer. The first nurse should kneel on the side away from the stretcher. The other two nurses should reach over the stretcher holding the draw sheet; one nurse at the head and chest areas of the patient supporting head and neck and the other nurse supporting at the waist and thigh area. | |
| 5 | Transfer the patient securely to stretcher. In unison with the other staff members, press your body tightly Prevents the stretcher against the stretcher. Roll the pull sheet tightly against the patient. Instruct the patient to flex his neck and head during the move if body parts. possible. Place his arms across the chest. Flex your hips and pull the patient on the pull sheet in unison directly towards and on to the stretcher. | Prevents the stretcher from moving. Achieves better control over patient movement prevents injury to his body parts. |
| 6 | Make the patient comfortable, unlock the stretcher wheels and move the stretcher away from the bed. | |
| 7 | Raise the stretcher side rails and/or fasten the safety straps across the patient. | Avoids danger of patient falling out of stretcher. |
Variation
Using a three-person carry: all standing on same side of bed.
| Nursing action | Rationale | |
| 1 | Three nurses of equal height stand beside the patient on one side of the bed facing the patient’s bed. The stretcher is placed at 90o to bed and wheels are locked. | Maintains alignment of patient. |
| 2 | Incline trunk, flex knees. Place forearm on bed and slide hands under head and shoulders, upper trunk, hips, thighs and lower legs with fingers securely around other side of patient’s body. | Distributes weight evenly. |
| 3 | Roll patient towards the nurses’ chests. | Ensures greater stability. |
| 4 | At the count of three patient is lifted and held against nurses’ chests | |
| 5 | On second count of three, nurses step back and pivot towards stretcher. Move forward if required. | Maintains adjustment and uniformity of movement. |
| 6 | At the third count of three, place patient gently on center of stretcher by flexing knees and hips till elbows are in level with edge of stretcher. | |
| 7 | Put on side rails/safety straps and position patient |
REFERENCES
- Annamma Jacob, Rekha, Jhadav Sonali Tarachand: Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, March 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-9356961845 ISBN-10: 9356961840
- Omayalachi CON, Manual of Nursing Procedures and Practice, Vol 1, 3 Edition 2023, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN: 978-9393553294
- Sandra Nettina, Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 11th Edition, January 2019, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN-13:978-9388313285
Stories are the threads that bind us; through them, we understand each other, grow, and heal.
JOHN NOORD
Connect with “Nurses Lab Editorial Team”
I hope you found this information helpful. Do you have any questions or comments? Kindly write in comments section. Subscribe the Blog with your email so you can stay updated on upcoming events and the latest articles.
