Lifting and Moving Patients Chapter 5 Lifting and Moving Patients

Outline Reasons for Lifting People Patient Positioning Body Mechanics Principles for Moving Patients Emergency Moves and Carries Non-emergency Moves and Carries Patient Positioning

Reasons for Lifting and Moving Patients

Lifting and Moving Patients There are three situations for FR When the patient is in immediate danger To prevent further injury to the patient Assisting other healthcare providers in preparing the patient for transport

Body Mechanics

Body Mechanics The use of proper body mechanics and lifting techniques reduces the likelihood of being injured Incorporates knowledge of the way muscles work into principles for safely performing physical activities such as lifting, sitting, and pushing heavy objects

Safety Precautions Use leg muscles, not back muscles Using the back can damage muscles and discs between vertebrae Bend at the knees and hips Don’t round the hips

Safety Precautions Keep weight as close to the body as possible to maintain balance Do not twist the body Keep feet shoulder-width apart for stability

Lifting Call for additional help if necessary Use an even number of people to maintain balance 1

Lifting Keep weight as close to the body as possible Know the weight limitations of equipment If the lifting situation is unsafe, don’t move the patient

Improper Lifting: Back bent 1

Improper Lifting: Twisting 1

Proper Lifting: Squat or power lift 1

Lifting a stretcher Squat, bending at the knees 11

Lifting a Stretcher Use a power grip 11

Lifting a Stretcher Stand up while locking your back 11

Guidelines for Lifting Consider the weight of the object being lifted Know your limitations

Get help! Work as a team Communicate with others! (including the patient)

Equipment The use of special devices for lifting and moving makes the task easier, safer, and more comfortable for the patient.

Be careful on stairs

Principles for Moving Patients

Principles Assess scene safety Remain alert to any developing dangers Decide if patient needs to be removed from a dangerous situation prior to starting treatment

Emergency Moves

Emergency Moves Performed when there is an immediate threat to the patient’s life. Emergency moves are called for much less often than non-emergency moves.

Emergency Moves When there is an immediate threat to the patient’s life Life-saving care cannot be given because of the patient’s position Access cannot be gained to another patient who needs life-saving care

Threat to Patient Fire or danger of fire Danger of explosion or presence of explosives Patient cannot be protected from other hazards at scene (i.e., extreme cold, traffic)

Patient Position A patient in cardiac arrest who is seated in a chair must be placed on the floor Unconscious patient may need to be put into recovery position to prevent airway obstruction

In the Way There is a critically injured patient who cannot be reached because a different patient is in the way

Otherwise? If none of these conditions is present, the transporting crew will move the patient when they are ready to leave the scene. In this case, it is your job to assist as necessary.

Emergency Moves Greatest danger is possibility of aggravating spinal injury Special precautions must be taken to protect spine Pull patient in direction of long axis of body This minimizes side-to-side movement of spine

Emergency Moves For patient on floor or ground Clothes drag/Incline drag Upper extremity drag (can be modified) Blanket drag Firefighter’s drag No matter what the circumstances, never pull a patient’s head away from the body!

Clothes Drag Incline drag Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Modified Upper Extremity Drag Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Blanket Drag Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Firefighter’s Drag Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Emergency Carries

Firefighter Carry with Assist Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Firefighter Carry with Assist Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

One-Person Cradle Carry One-Person Assist One-Person Cradle Carry Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Pack Strap Carry Piggyback carry Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Firefighter’s Carry

Non-emergency Moves

Non-emergency Moves Made with help of other responders Not to be used for patient with suspected spinal injury

Non-emergency Moves Direct ground lift Extremity lift Transferring patient from bed to stretcher Direct carry Draw sheet method

Direct Ground Lift Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Direct Ground Lift Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Direct Ground Lift Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Direct Ground Lift Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Extremity Lift Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Extremity Lift Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Draw Sheet Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Draw Sheet Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Draw Sheet Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Draw Sheet Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Draw Sheet Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Patient Positioning

At times a patient does not need to be relocated (moved), but must be repositioned for optimal patient care.

Unresponsive Patient No trauma Patient placed in recovery position

Trauma Patient Do not move until a more advanced healthcare provider can evaluate and stabilize patient.

Position of Comfort For patients experiencing pain or difficulty breathing.

Position of Comfort Patients who are nauseated or vomiting should be allowed to assume a position of comfort as long as it does not compromise the airway Be prepared to manage the airway

Summary Lifting and moving patients is one of the First Responder’s responsibilities The First Responder must determine whether an emergency move is indicated or whether the patient can wait until additional resources arrive to make the move safer and more comfortable.

Summary At times you will need to reposition the patient to protect the airway or to allow for patient comfort. In performing these actions, the First Responder must always use proper body mechanics and follow safety guidelines to prevent injury to First Responder and patient.

BE SAFE! Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.