Patient Transportation

Safety in the Imaging Department Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Federal agency governing safety in the workplace OSHA – Provides guidelines to ensure a high level of safety for hospital workers. It is important for you to be familiar with safety procedures at your work setting

Fire Be prepared… Hospitals have a clearly defined plan for staff action in the event of a fire. You must become familiar with your department’s plan.

Mobile Equipment No parking in the red zone… Imaging often uses mobile stretchers, wheelchairs, carts, and x-ray machines; care must be taken to avoid obstructing passage and doorways All equipment must be parked on the same side of the hallway, not lining both walls

Equipment Safety Make sure room is available to pass easily Ask yourself – “Would this piece of equipment be a problem in this location if quick evacuation becomes necessary?”

In Case of Fire… If you discover a fire, your primary responsibility is to evacuate everyone in the immediate area to a safe location Beyond at least two fire doors Second, report the fire and location using the prescribed code procedure

Fire in Another Part of the Hospital… Close all doors Shut off all electrical equipment Shut off main oxygen valves – O2 is very flammable Prepare patients for further evacuation while awaiting instruction

Body Mechanics

Muscle strains are common among hospital workers The most common injury reported by radiographers

3 Major Concepts Base of support – The portion of the body in contact with the floor or other horizontal surface A broad base of support provides stability for body position and movement

Centre of Gravity Centre of body weight; the point around which body weight is balanced Usually located in the midportion of the pelvis or lower abdomen, depending on body build Any object you hold adds to the weight on the base of support… Affecting the location of your centre of gravity

The body is most stable when the centre of gravity is nearest the centre of the base of support

Centre of Gravity for Most People is S2

Line of Gravity Imaginary vertical line passing through the centre of gravity The body is most stable when the line of gravity bisects the base of support

Not so Good Good 

Rules of Body Mechanics Provide a broad base of support Work at a comfortable height When lifting, bend your knees and keep your back straight Keep your load well-balanced and close to your body Roll or push a heavy object; avoid pulling or lifting

Patient Comfort and Safety

Padding & Support Lordotic = Concave Kyphotic = Convex

Radiation Protection Considerations Good patient care… Padding placed under body prominences, such as the sacrum, heels, or midthoracic curvature Patient is better able to maintain the position needed – Decubitus ulcers

Rule of Thumb… If a patient will be in one position on the x-ray table for longer than 10 minutes, a full-size radiolucent pad should be used

Patient Positions Semi-Flower’s

Patient Transportation

Preparing for Safe Patient Transfer Check with nursing service and obtain chart Check patient identification Make a plan, prepare the room Get transport equipment, and make sure it works!

Preparing for Safe Patient Transfer Enlist the patient’s help and cooperation. Tell the patient what you are doing as you proceed Obtain additional help when necessary. Check to make certain your assistants understand their role in the transfer

Wheelchair Transfer To get started, lower the patient’s bed as far as it will go and raise the head Support the patient’s head and knees. Lift and rotate the patient to a sitting position with their legs hanging over the edge of the bed Help the patient with their slippers and robe

Wheelchair Transfer This will allow patient time to regain a sense of balance Orthorstatic hypotension At this point, some patients will be able to stand and get to the wheelchair on their own

Transfer from Bed or Chair

Two-Person Transfer

Infection Control

Who Wears the Mask when Transporting a TB Patient? The patient Both patient and transporter wear appropriate masks when travelling in an enclosed vehicle What kind? Surgical mask

Patient Treatment Equipment

Be Careful With…

Urinary Bag…

Central Line

Before You Act, Think Safety!