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How to Avoid Injury While Doing a Patient Transfer

Written By Northgate Chiropractic Clinic on January 4, 2018

Caregivers are responsible for maintaining the health and wellbeing of their patients: they may administer medications, prepare meals, or make sure their patients have clean sheets and fresh dressings on their wounds.

But no matter what they do, it’s important that caregivers keep themselves safe and avoid injury when performing tasks like patient transfers.

Plan Before Moving a Patient

Before you even move a patient, you should have a plan of action in mind. Know your patient’s height and weight. 

Be aware of any issues they may suffer from, like a strained muscle or a stiff neck, so you are able to move them and not cause further pain. 

If you have a partner, keep communicating with each other so you can stick to the plan. 

Patient Lifting Techniques: How to Safely Transfer a Patient

Keep these patient lifting techniques in mind:

  • Face the person you are lifting.
  • Align your head and neck.
  • Keep your knees slightly bent and ensure your feet are stable on the ground.
  • Get as close to the patient as possible to avoid bending over and putting too much pressure on your back.
  • Squat and lift using your leg muscles.
  • At all cost, avoid bending using your waist.

You should take care to refrain from bending over, stooping, or twisting for long periods of time. If your patient relies upon you for help with bathing, dressing, and eating, try to keep a level position to avoid putting extra strain on your back.

Chiropractic Care for Your Work Injuries

Even if you think you’re doing everything right, you could still face an injury. Caregivers most often experience problems in their neck and back, since they do a lot of heavy lifting, bending, and stooping. 

If you’re feeling pain in these or any other areas, you may want to speak to a chiropractor about your issues. 

At Northgate Chiropractic, we can make adjustments to your spine to relieve pain and pressure, and teach you exercises and stretches you can do at home. To schedule an appointment, call us at (507) 285-1677 orcontact us online.


Posted In: Chiropractic Work Injury