Lifting and Moving Patients Chapter 35

Introduction In the course of a call, EMTs move patients. To move patients without injury, you need to learn proper techniques. Correct body mechanics, grips, and devices are important.

Moving and Positioning the Patient (1 of 3) When you move a patient, take care that injury does not occur: To you To your team To the patient Many EMTs are injured lifting and moving patients.

Moving and Positioning the Patient (2 of 3) Training and practice are required. Special lifting and moving techniques are necessary for: Patients with head injury, shock, spinal injury Pregnant patients Obese patients

Body Mechanics (1 of 12) In lifting: Shoulder girdle should be aligned over pelvis. Hands should be held close to legs. Force then goes essentially straight down spinal column. Very little strain occurs.

Body Mechanics (2 of 12)

Body Mechanics (3 of 12) This is the correct way to lift.

Body Mechanics (4 of 12) You may injure your back: If you lift with your back curved If you lift with your back straight but bent significantly forward at the hips

Body Mechanics (5 of 12) This is an incorrect method of lifting.

Body Mechanics (6 of 12) Power lift Legs should be spread about 15″ apart (shoulder width). Place feet so center of gravity is balanced. With your back held upright, bring your upper body down by bending the legs. Grasp the patient/stretcher.

Body Mechanics (7 of 12) Power lift (cont’d) Lift patient by raising your upper body and arms and straightening your legs until standing. Keep the weight close to your body. See Skill Drill 35-1.

Body Mechanics (9 of 12) Power grip gets maximum force from hands. Palms up Hands about 10″ apart All fingers at same angle Fully support handle on curved palm

Body Mechanics (10 of 12)

Body Mechanics (11 of 12) To lift a patient by a sheet or blanket: Center the patient. Tightly roll up excess fabric on the sides. Use the cylindrical handle to grasp fabric and lift patient.

Body Mechanics (12 of 12)

Weight and Distribution (1 of 9) Whenever possible, use a device that can be rolled. When a wheeled device is not available, a backboard must be used.

Weight and Distribution (2 of 9) More of the patient’s weight rests on the head half of the device than on the foot half. Diamond carry and the one-handed carry use one EMT at head and foot, and one on each side of patient’s torso. See Skill Drill 35-2 and Skill Drill 35-3.

Weight and Distribution (3 of 9)

Weight and Distribution (4 of 9) Always secure patient to backboard or stretcher. So patient cannot slide significantly when stretcher is at an angle

Weight and Distribution (5 of 9) Wheeled ambulance stretcher weighs 40–145 lb. Generally too heavy for use on stairs

Weight and Distribution (6 of 9) If you must use a backboard or wheeled stretcher on stairs, see Skill Drill 35-4.

Weight and Distribution (7 of 9) A stair chair can be used to bring a conscious patient down to stretcher (see Skill Drill 35-5).

Weight and Distribution (8 of 9)

Weight and Distribution (9 of 9) Backboard should be used instead for patient: In cardiac arrest Who must be moved in supine position Who must be immobilized

Directions and Commands (1 of 3) Team actions must be coordinated. Team leader Indicates where each team member should be Rapidly describes sequence of steps to perform before lifting

Directions and Commands (2 of 3) Preparatory commands are used. Example: Team leader says, “All ready to stop,” to get team’s attention. Then team leader says, “Stop!” in louder voice. Countdowns are also used.

Directions and Commands (3 of 3) Estimate patient’s weight before lifting Adults often weigh 120–220 lb. Two EMTs should be able to safely lift this weight. If patient weighs over 250 lb, use four rescuers. Place strongest EMT at head end.

Principles of Safe Reaching and Pulling (1 of 4) Body drag When you use a body drag, same principles apply as when lifting and carrying. Keep back locked and straight. Kneel. Extend arms no more than 15–20″ in front of you.

Principles of Safe Reaching and Pulling (2 of 4) Log rolling Log roll the patient onto his or her side to place a patient on a backboard.

Principles of Safe Reaching and Pulling (3 of 4) Log rolling (cont’d) Kneel as close to the patient’s side as possible. Keep your back straight. Roll the patient without stopping.

Principles of Safe Reaching and Pulling (4 of 4) Rolling the stretcher Stretcher should be fully elevated. Push the stretcher from the head end. Never push with arms fully extended.

General Considerations Move a patient in orderly, planned, unhurried manner. Carefully plan ahead. Select methods that will involve least amount of lifting and carrying.

Emergency Moves (1 of 5) Use when there is potential for danger before assessment and management. Examples: fire, explosives, hazardous materials Use when you cannot properly assess patient or provide immediate care because of patient’s location or position.

Emergency Moves (2 of 5) If you are alone, use a drag to pull patient along long axis of body. Use techniques to help prevent aggravation of patient spinal injury. Clothes drag Blanket drag Arm drag Arm-to-arm drag

Emergency Moves (3 of 5)

Emergency Moves (4 of 5) To remove unconscious patient from vehicle alone: First move legs clear of pedals. Rotate patient so back is toward open car door. Place arms through armpits and support head against your body. Drag patient from seat to a safe location.

Emergency Moves (5 of 5)

Urgent Moves (1 of 2) Necessary to move patient with: Altered level of consciousness Inadequate ventilation Shock Rapid extrication technique requires team of knowledgeable EMTs. See Skill Drill 35-6.

Urgent Moves (2 of 2) Rapid extrication technique is an urgent move and should only be used if urgency exists. Patient can be moved within 1 minute. Technique increases damage if patient has spinal injury. Look at all options before using technique.

Nonurgent Moves (1 of 5) Used when both scene and patient are stable Carefully plan how to move the patient. Team leader should plan the move. Personnel Obstacles identified Equipment Path

Nonurgent Moves (2 of 5) Direct ground lift (Skill Drill 35-7) For those with no suspected spinal injury who are supine. Patient will need to be carried distance. EMTs stand side by side to lift/carry.

Nonurgent Moves (3 of 5) Extremity lift (Skill Drill 35-8) For those with no suspected spinal injury who are supine or sitting Helpful when patient is in small space One EMT at patient’s head and the other at patient’s feet Coordinate moves verbally.

Nonurgent Moves (4 of 5) To transfer a patient from bed to stretcher, use: Direct carry (see Skill Drill 35-9) Move supine patient from the bed to stretcher using a direct carry method. Draw sheet method Move patient from bed to stretcher using a sheet or blanket. Scoop stretcher (see Skill Drill 35-10)

Geriatrics (1 of 2) Most patients transported by EMS are geriatric patients. Skeletal changes cause brittle bones, and spinal curvatures present special challenges. Allay patient’s fears with sympathetic and compassionate approach.

Geriatrics (2 of 2) Kyphosis Spondylosis Source: © Dr. P. Marazzi/Photo Researchers, Inc. Kyphosis Spondylosis

Bariatrics (1 of 2) Refers to management of obese people 100 million adults in the US are overweight or obese. Approximately 20% to 25% of children are overweight or obese. Back injuries account for the largest number of missed days of work.

Bariatrics (2 of 2) Stretchers and equipment are being produced with higher capacities. Does not address danger to EMTs of carrying ever-heavier weights Mechanical ambulance lifts are uncommon in United States.

Patient-Moving Equipment (1 of 3) Stretcher is available in many models with various features. General features Head and foot end Strong metal frame (to push, pull, lift) Hinges at center allow for elevation of head/back. Guardrail prevents patient from rolling out.

Patient-Moving Equipment (2 of 3) General features (cont’d) Undercarriage frame allows adjustment to any height. Stretcher has locking mechanism when controls are not activated. Controls are located at the foot end and at one or both sides of most stretchers.

Types of Stretchers (1 of 19) Wheeled ambulance stretcher Also called a stretcher or gurney Most commonly used device

Types of Stretchers (2 of 19) Wheeled ambulance stretcher (cont’d) Patient may be secured directly to stretcher Or, patient may be secured to backboard first if: Suspected spinal injury or multisystem trauma Patient is in need of CPR

Types of Stretchers (3 of 19) Bariatric stretcher Specialized for overweight or obese patients Wider wheel base for increased stability Source: Courtesy of Stryker Medical

Types of Stretchers (4 of 19) Bariatric stretcher (cont’d) Some have tow package with winch. Rated to hold 850–900 lb Regular stretcher rated for 650 lb max.

Types of Stretchers (5 of 19) Pneumatic and electronic-powered wheeled stretcher Battery operated electronic controls to raise/lower undercarriage This increases the weight of stretcher. Hazardous for uneven terrain or stairs Source: Courtesy of Stryker Medical

Types of Stretchers (6 of 19) Loading a wheeled stretcher into an ambulance Ensure the frame is held firmly between two hands so it does not tip.

Types of Stretchers (7 of 19) Loading a wheeled stretcher into an ambulance (cont’d) Newer models are self-loading, allowing you to push the stretcher into ambulance. Other models need to be lowered and lifted to the height of the floor of ambulance. Clamps in ambulance hold stretcher in place. See Skill Drill 35-11.

Types of Stretchers (8 of 19) Portable/folding stretcher Strong, rectangular tubular metal frame with fabric stretched across it

Types of Stretchers (9 of 19) Portable/folding stretcher (cont’d) Some models have two wheels. Some can be folded in half. Used in areas difficult to reach Weigh less then wheeled stretchers

Types of Stretchers (10 of 19) Flexible stretcher Can be rolled into a tubular package Excellent for storage and carrying Conform around a patient’s sides Useful for confined spaces Uncomfortable, but provides support and immobilization

Types of Stretchers (11 of 19) Backboard Long, flat, and made of rigid rectangular material (mostly plastic) Used to carry and immobilize patients with suspected spinal injury or other trauma

Types of Stretchers (12 of 19) Backboard (cont’d) Commonly used for patients found lying down 6′ to 7′ long Holes serve as handles and a place to secure straps.

Types of Stretchers (13 of 19) Backboard (cont’d) Short backboards or half-boards are used to immobilize seated patients Example: the KED vest-type device

Types of Stretchers (14 of 19) Basket stretcher Rigid stretcher also called a Stokes litter Used for remote locations inaccessible by a vehicle, including water rescues and technical rope rescues

Types of Stretchers (15 of 19) Basket stretcher (cont’d) If spinal injury, secure patient to backboard and place inside basket stretcher to carry patient out of location. When you return to ambulance, lift the backboard out of basket stretcher and place on wheeled stretcher.

Types of Stretchers (16 of 19) Scoop stretcher Also called orthopaedic stretcher

Types of Stretchers (17 of 19) Scoop stretcher (cont’d) Splits into two or four pieces Pieces fit around patient who is lying on flat surface and reconnect Both sides of patient must be accessible. Patient must be stabilized and secured on scoop stretcher.

Types of Stretchers (18 of 19) Stair chair Folding aluminum frame chairs with fabric stretched across to form a seat and back Most have rubber wheels in the back

Types of Stretchers (19 of 19) Neonatal isolette Also called an incubator Neonates cannot be transported on a wheeled stretcher. Isolette keeps neonate warm, protects from noise, draft, infection, excess handling. Isolette may be secured to wheeled ambulance stretcher or freestanding.

Decontamination Decontaminate equipment after use. For your safety For the safety of the crew For the safety of the patient To prevent the spread of disease

Medical Restraints (1 of 2) Evaluate for correctible causes of combativeness. Head injury, hypoxia, hypoglycemia Follow local protocols. Restraint requires five personnel. Restrain patient supine. Positional asphyxia may develop in prone position.

Medical Restraints (2 of 2) Apply restraint to each extremity. Assess circulation after restraints are applied. Document all information.

Personnel Considerations (1 of 2) Questions to ask before moving patient: Am I physically strong enough to lift/move this patient? Is there adequate room to get the proper stance to lift the patient? Do I need additional personnel for lifting assistance?

Personnel Considerations (2 of 2) Remember, an injured rescuer cannot help anyone.

Credits Background slide image: © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Courtesy of MIEMSS.