Healthcare: Patient Transfer and Mobility

Transfer and Bed Mobility

• A transfer is defined as the movement of a patient from one surface or location to another or from one position to another.
• Bed mobility activities include moving upward, downward, side to side, rolling, and sitting position, which are essential for preparing a patient for a transfer.

Key Terms

• Anteroposterior: from the front to the back (z-axis of motion) of an object or living being.
• Bariatric: field of medicine concerned with weight loss or dealing with causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity.
• Contralateral: on the other or opposite side.
• Dependent: requiring some level or type of assistance, which may be human or mechanical.
• Draw sheet: a small sheet or linen pad placed underneath the patient that extends from the upper trunk to mid-thigh.
• Exacerbation: an increase in the severity of disease or any of its symptoms.
• Gait belt: an adjustable belt or strap secured around a patient's waist or hips, used to protect and control the patient during gait activities or transfers.
• Graft: any tissue or organ for transplantation or implantation.
• Hemiplegia: paralysis of one side of the body.
• Ipsilateral: on the same side.
• Lateral: indicates a position away from the median plane or midline of a body or structure.
• Medial: related or located toward the midline of a body or structure.
• Mobility: the ability to move in an environment.
• Osteoporosis: a decreased mass per unit volume of normally mineralized bone compared with that in age-matched and sex-matched control subjects; loss of bone mass.
• Paralysis: loss of voluntary movement in a muscle through injury or disease.
• Paresis: partial or incomplete paralysis.
• Plinth: a padded table for a patient to sit or lie on while performing exercises, receiving a massage, or undergoing other therapeutic interventions.
• Syncope: a temporary suspension of consciousness as a result of cerebral anemia; fainting.
• Transfer: the moving of a patient from one surface to another surface.
• Vertigo: the sensation of rotation or movement of one's self or one's surroundings.

Assistance Levels

• Independent: does not require assistance.
• Modified independent: may require minimal assistance or supervision.
• Assisted: requires some level of assistance.
• Standby (supervision) assistance: requires close supervision but minimal physical assistance.
• Contact guarding: requires physical contact or support to prevent falls.
• Minimal assistance: requires minimal physical assistance.
• Moderate assistance: requires moderate physical assistance.
• Maximal assistance: requires extensive physical assistance.
• Dependent: requires complete assistance.