Patient Moving Techniques in Healthcare

• Body mechanics and principles are crucial when moving, lifting, and carrying patients to ensure safety and minimize strain on the back.
• When pulling a patient, it is important to reach forward, grasp the patient with elbows just beyond the torso, bend knees, and extend arms while keeping back locked.
• Reposition feet for balanced force, use arm strength (not back), and repeat steps as needed while maintaining communication with partners.
• When performing a two-person body drag, coordination and steady effort are essential to avoid accidents and ensure a smooth movement.
• Knowing and communicating personal limits is crucial before attempting to lift a patient; if unsure, call for additional help and plan accordingly.
• Proper positioning of the strongest team members at the head and foot ends is vital when carrying patients up and down stairs to prevent accidents or injuries.
• Emergency moves are used in life-threatening situations, urgent moves involve rapid extrication, and non-urgent moves are for stable patients in a safe environment.
• Different carry techniques are demonstrated for emergency situations, emphasizing the need for creativity, care, and communication with the patient.
• Special considerations are needed for geriatric patients due to skeletal changes, skin fragility, and the importance of being compassionate, slow, and anticipatory in movements.
• Bariatrics, dealing with obesity management, poses challenges for healthcare workers in terms of back injuries due to the high prevalence of obesity in the US population.

Learn about the principles and techniques of moving patients safely in healthcare settings, including pulling, lifting, carrying, and special considerations for different scenarios. Understand the importance of body mechanics, teamwork, communication, and knowing personal limits.