get pt. up off the floor and keep your back healthy?

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Quick question.....had to float to another unit...found a sundowner on the floor next to his bed...'bout killed my back getting his dead weight up to the bed with two other nurses assisting.....anyone have an easier way without a lift available? Could have used a wheelchair or bedside commode within reach but figured one transfer was better than two. Pt. was uninjured by the way.

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Similar situation I had, but the patient was not completely helpless. It took a long time but we did more of stand by assist, let the patient do what he could himself, slowly get to his hands and knees, slowly kneel, slowly pull himself up, etc.. If the patient is not completely helpless that would be my suggestion.

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Specializes in Certified Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurse.

At my facility we are required tp use a hoyer lift for any patient that ends up on the floor no matter what their mobility status. You might want to suggest your facility obtain a hoyer lift.

Good luck.

Diana

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

No! Two transfers is better then one!!! Plus, if you need a hoyer then use one!!! :twocents:

Anything you can do to protect your back from DEAD FAT weight is what you are to do. If you hurt yourself and cannot work by the bedside, then you may end up unemployed!!! Some patients and family members assume you have magical powers until you explain to them that being a nurse does not make you super human. This is why I always teach my patients/families as to why I am taking my time or why I need several people or why I am using such and such equipment to transfer them or move them. I have never had any complaints and my back is still functional. :up:

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

Lift with your brain, not with your back. If your pt is unable to help and you don't have equipment readily available, make as much room as you can around him and use a bedspread, possibly folded double. Roll pt and stuff under one side, then back and pull through, just like changing a sheet. The blanket should go from at least the shoulders to the knees, and if they are very heavy or limp, head to toe is better. Make sure there's enough blanket at the sides for everyone to get a good grip. You can easily get three people to a side like this, and probably four. Eight people can lift up to 400 lbs pretty safely. You may need to position the bed in such a way that you can remove the footboard and each group move up an opposite side, bringing the pt over the bed. Or it might be easier to move them onto a cart first, then do a lateral transfer to the bed (or transport on the cart to x-ray). What you don't want is everyone ending up on the same side of the bed or cart, and you want something strong to lift with.

I've lifted patients well over 500 lbs like this, with seven other people, and nobody got hurt.

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Could you have borrowed a lift from another floor? I've also used the blanket technique and it's worked pretty well... the key is lots of hands. Call security if you don't have that many staff members available. I bet this could be a real mess in a nursing home where there is only 3 staff members for 300 patients or something ridiculous like that.

I know whenever anyone falls we want to get them up right away. Just remember the floor, although not comfortable, is safe and the patient can stay there a while as you figure out the safest way to get them up. Grab them a pillow and plan your next move.

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To those of you suggesting that hoyer lifts be used:

Are your hoyer lifts electric or "manual?"

All of my facility's are electric and the lowest the "arm" can reach is about 4 feet from the ground.

Do you have electric lifts that reach to the ground or are you dependent on the manual "pump" ones?

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Specializes in NICU.
Lift with your brain, not with your back. If your pt is unable to help and you don't have equipment readily available, make as much room as you can around him and use a bedspread, possibly folded double. Roll pt and stuff under one side, then back and pull through, just like changing a sheet. The blanket should go from at least the shoulders to the knees, and if they are very heavy or limp, head to toe is better. Make sure there's enough blanket at the sides for everyone to get a good grip. You can easily get three people to a side like this, and probably four. Eight people can lift up to 400 lbs pretty safely. You may need to position the bed in such a way that you can remove the footboard and each group move up an opposite side, bringing the pt over the bed. Or it might be easier to move them onto a cart first, then do a lateral transfer to the bed (or transport on the cart to x-ray). What you don't want is everyone ending up on the same side of the bed or cart, and you want something strong to lift with.

I've lifted patients well over 500 lbs like this, with seven other people, and nobody got hurt.

This is how we usually did it on my old medsurg floor. It is the safest for the patient and the staff.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

I totally agree with NurseMike.

Don't sacrifice your back for ANYONE.

I will not lift anyone I cannot safely handle with/without mechanical/people assisting.

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Specializes in Hospice.
Lift with your brain, not with your back. If your pt is unable to help and you don't have equipment readily available, make as much room as you can around him and use a bedspread, possibly folded double. Roll pt and stuff under one side, then back and pull through, just like changing a sheet. The blanket should go from at least the shoulders to the knees, and if they are very heavy or limp, head to toe is better. Make sure there's enough blanket at the sides for everyone to get a good grip. You can easily get three people to a side like this, and probably four. Eight people can lift up to 400 lbs pretty safely. You may need to position the bed in such a way that you can remove the footboard and each group move up an opposite side, bringing the pt over the bed. Or it might be easier to move them onto a cart first, then do a lateral transfer to the bed (or transport on the cart to x-ray). What you don't want is everyone ending up on the same side of the bed or cart, and you want something strong to lift with.

I've lifted patients well over 500 lbs like this, with seven other people, and nobody got hurt.

Sniped by nursemike! This strategy allows you to pull the pt into position near the bed and lift straight up without twisting your back. I've used it on a 6ft4inch man with anasarca and massive ascites ... it took eight of us but it was doable without danger. I do recommend the blanket under the full length of the pt ... better control of the head.

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Specializes in PACU, Surgery, Acute Medicine.
Lift with your brain, not with your back. If your pt is unable to help and you don't have equipment readily available, make as much room as you can around him and use a bedspread, possibly folded double. Roll pt and stuff under one side, then back and pull through, just like changing a sheet. The blanket should go from at least the shoulders to the knees, and if they are very heavy or limp, head to toe is better. Make sure there's enough blanket at the sides for everyone to get a good grip. You can easily get three people to a side like this, and probably four. Eight people can lift up to 400 lbs pretty safely. You may need to position the bed in such a way that you can remove the footboard and each group move up an opposite side, bringing the pt over the bed. Or it might be easier to move them onto a cart first, then do a lateral transfer to the bed (or transport on the cart to x-ray). What you don't want is everyone ending up on the same side of the bed or cart, and you want something strong to lift with.

I've lifted patients well over 500 lbs like this, with seven other people, and nobody got hurt.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest, this is how we do it on my floor. I am amazed at how easy it is to lift even very heavy patients off the floor with only 4 nurses!

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

As a BIN (back injured nurse) believe me there is no going back after you do something and injure your back.

For some reason our hospital had a cache of Korean War type folding stretchers. Canvas with long wood poles. After ascertaining the patient was OK by getting the doc or Intern/Resident .to the bedside, the stretcher was laid on the floor parallel to him. Then at least eight lifters, more if you had them, did the one, two three lift. The heaviest patient I recall was about 400#. This was way before the hoyer electric lifts and the ceiling mounted lifts.

Do not try to lift by yourself or even with one other. The only difference at the moment is the floor is not quite as soft as the bed. WAIT FOR ALL THE HELP YOU CAN OBTAIN.

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