1. Lifting and Moving Patients
Chapter 5
Lifting and Moving Patients

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

3. Reasons for Lifting and Moving Patients

4. 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

5. Body Mechanics

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. Improper Lifting: Back bent1

12. Improper Lifting: Twisting1

13. Proper Lifting: Squat or power lift1

14. Lifting a stretcher
Squat, bending at the knees 11

15. Lifting a Stretcher
Use a power grip 11

16. Lifting a Stretcher
Stand up while locking your back 11

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

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

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

20. Be careful on stairs

21. Principles for Moving Patients

22. 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

23. Emergency Moves

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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)

27. 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

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

29. 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.

30. 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

31. 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!

32. Clothes Drag Incline drag
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33. Modified Upper Extremity Drag
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34. Blanket Drag
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35. Firefighter’s Drag
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36. Emergency Carries

37. Firefighter Carry with Assist
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38. Firefighter Carry with Assist
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39. One-Person Cradle Carry
One-Person Assist
One-Person Cradle Carry
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40. Pack Strap Carry Piggyback carry
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41. Firefighter’s Carry

42. Non-emergency Moves

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

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

45. Direct Ground Lift
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46. Direct Ground Lift
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47. Direct Ground Lift
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48. Direct Ground Lift
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49. Extremity Lift
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50. Extremity Lift
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51. Draw Sheet
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52. Draw Sheet
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53. Draw Sheet
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54. Draw Sheet
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55. Draw Sheet
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56. Patient Positioning

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

58. Unresponsive Patient
No trauma
Patient placed in recovery position

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

60. Position of Comfort
For patients experiencing pain or difficulty breathing.

61. 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

62. 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.

63. 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.

64. BE
SAFE!
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