tips on changing total care patients

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So, I just got a cna job at a hospital, and unfortunately this is my only source of income, so please keep this in mind when you hear my story ( basically, I cant quit my job). So, on our unit it is so hard to get somebody to help me out when I have to change a patient or transfer a patient from chair to bed and etc. I've been to management and everything and nothing is being done, so i am just going to have to work with it and try not to break my back! So, my question is, do you have any suggestions on changing an incontinent patient when it's only you doing it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks!

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Specializes in Ortho.

Do you mean you're the sole person changing and moving a pt bed to chair? Our tech on our floor sucks, but we always help change the pt and will help oob if necessary.

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Wow, I can't believe not one other person will help you. Is it other aides or nurses who are not helping? Some patients are impossible to roll alone if they will not co-operate or are heavy. I don't really have any tips to help with that. I would look for a new job.

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Is this your first CNA job? It does take some experience to learn how to turn pts for incontinent care. Always stand on the side that you are turning them towards, pull them toward you with the draw sheet. As far as transfers...the pt has to be weight bearing and only need you to help them stay steady in order to be a 1 assist transfer. Even a 2 assist transfer has to be able to bear weight. If you are straining to transfer a pt, that pt cannot be safely transferred by a 1 assist, do not do it. Keep in mind though, that some pts may be capable, but need more verbal cues and more time.

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Unfortunatley it's both the nurses an the other aids that wont help. We are so short staffed it's unbelievable. This is not my first job as a cna but the other hospital that I worked had a much better support system,

So i never encountered this problem.

Im more concerned about changing a pt than transferring a pt because i use the lifts to transfer them.

Thanks everybody!

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Make sure you are using your legs. Don't worry if you look funny. I bend my knees, always stand on the side you are turning them to and use the draw sheet. Then hopefully you can get around to the other side to clean them. I worked at a place like this, I had coworkers be incredibly mean to me when I would ask for help. Sometimes it takes a little bit of attitude to get what you want. I didn't care if I annoyed people. Maybe you need to be a little more assertive. I would walk up to anyone on the floor and ask for help, even if I didn't know their name. Your back will thank you later. I injured my back when I first started as a CNA. I was young and shy. I didn't want to ask anyone for help in fear that they would get annoyed. If I have learned anything from working in the healthcare field it is that we can not be afraid to ask for help. That is how we hurt ourselves and our patients. MAKE THEM HELP YOU.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

i find it easier to turn pt.s using the technique used for placing a victim

in the recovery position, provided it is not contraindicated

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

another thought

i've gotten some really good tips on transfers and positioning from OT and PT

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Specializes in Skilled Rehab Nurse.

I'm kind of envious of the places where you get help with total care patients. We never have enough staffing for that. I only get help with the transfers and that's only because they tend to be lifts so they are mandatory two person transfers. Have all of your supplies ready (wash clothes, etc.) and raise the bed to working height. A lot of our residents there is only one possible side of the bed to stand on (beds are up against the wall). I start by undoing the top of the pad and tucking it underneath the resident. Then I do peri care on the front. I then roll the resident to the side away from me and pull out the dirty pad. If they have had a BM, try to wipe off as much as possible with the dirty pad. Do peri care on the back side of the person. Generally the tabs go at the top (toward the person's head). Line them up with the top of the crack in the butt and put underneath the person as far as possible. Roll resident on back and then roll toward you far enough to pull out tab on other side. Pull up as much as possible in the middle and attach the tabs on either side. I have to do this by myself every night I work even with our larger residents. It was really hard at first but has gotten much easier. I've learned to have extra wash clothes on hand, toilet paper, and extra gloves. You never know when you might need them.

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