How do I transfer non ambulatory pt from WC?

Nurses General Nursing

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Good morning everyone, I have been currently working as a home health LVN for almost a year now and soon I will be working with a new client. My question is how would I be able to transfer a non ambulatory pt from wheelchair to a bed, from wheelchair to a shower chair, from shower chair to bed, and etc. My supervisor suggested that I ask for help and that it is not possible to transfer a dead weight pt alone. However I think there must be some way. Maybe I can use a small wooden board ? Any suggestions are welcome. All I know is that I have to bend at knees and wear a back support.

On 7/2/2019 at 6:43 AM, Kitiger said:

Ceiling lifts can have permanent tracts or temporary frames; they do not require permanent changes in the architecture. The upright "legs" of the frames can rest against the walls, so the horizontal tracts stretch across the room. OP's family could look into this.

As to requiring 2 people to safely transfer using a Hoyer lift; I just don't get it. In the home, that is not an option. Now, it is true that a manual hydraulic lift is not safe for all patients. If I am behind the lift, pumping it up or lowering it, I cannot also be steadying the patient. But a power lift is safe. I can hold the controller in my hand and guide the patient into place over the wheelchair or whatever.

When the Hoyer lift is ordered, the insurance company needs to be told when a power lift is medically necessary. Medicaid will pay for this.

Thank you very much Kitiger, for the info about ther power lift and the medicaid. I am so happy I am learning something new everyday.

1 Votes
On 7/2/2019 at 7:23 AM, Orion81RN said:

I think those of us who have worked private duty for some time have come to have a 6th sense about families. My spidey senses are screaming heck no to this mom. I've read through your posts, and you seem to be reasonable. This mother does not. She was presented with the reality that a nurse needs to use a hoyer, and she disregarded the nurse's safety concerns with "wear a back brace."

I don't think it's fair to say that nurses haven't come at the situation with empathy. And you bet when they don't return the empathy when it comes to my back, I'm going to nope right on out of there and take my empathy with me to another family who values what I'm contributing to that family.

Orion81RN, you are so right! I alwyas in the emphaty mode when i do the greet and meet with the family and will l do whatever it take to take care of my pt. But you are right if the parent does not has any emphaty for me I will go somewhere else where I will be safe and appreciated. I am glad i nope out of this case. Thank you so so much

On 7/2/2019 at 1:22 PM, nursenmom3 said:

I realize I am totally hijacking this thread, and I apologize.

What are people's thoughts about weight limits and transferring people who need assistance but can bear some of their weight?

My kid can usually help with a transfer by bearing most or all of his weight on his feet and pivoting, but needs someone's hands on him to steady him. He's got upcoming surgery where he'll be completely non-weight bearing on both feet for a few months, and I've been thinking about lifts for that period, but this thread is making me wonder whether we'll eventually need a lift anyway.

nursenmom3, not to worry. I am so happy I get to see many inputs from various nurses with experience. you are so right there should be someone who has been their longer and sit down with the agency and talk to them regarding the safe transfer and well being of the other nurses.

Also my question to everyone, in some job listings they will said one of the quailications is that nurse must be able to push, lift, or pull 50 pounds. Does that meant that those agencies or facilities would not provide hoyer lift or provide another person to assist the nurse on duty?

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