ALERT
A patient with head trauma or stroke may have perceptual cognitive deficits that create safety risks.
If the patient has difficulty in comprehension, simplify instructions by providing one step at a time and maintain consistency.
Position a nurse at the head of the patient's bed to protect and support the patient's head and neck if patient is weak or unable to assist.
Perform hand hygiene before patient contact.Verify the correct patient using two identifiers.Assess the patient's physiological capacity totransfer.Muscle strength (legs and upper arms)Joint mobility and contracture formationParalysis or paresis (spastic or flaccid)Bone continuity (trauma, amputation)Assess presence of weakness, dizziness, or postural hypotension.Assess the patient's level of endurance.Assess level of fatigue during activity.Assess vital signs.Assess the patient's proprioceptive function (awareness of posture and changes in equilibrium).Ability to maintain balance while sitting in bed or on side of bedTendency to sway to or position self to one sideAssess the patient's sensory status, including adequacy of central and peripheral vision, adequacy of hearing, and presence of peripheral sensation loss.Assess the patient's level of comfort.PainMuscle spasmAssess the patient's cognitive status.Ability to follow verbal instructionsShort-term memoryRecognition of physical deficits and limitations to movementAssess patient's level of motivation such as eagerness versus unwillingness to be mobile.Assess patient for specific risks of falling when transferred: neuromuscular deficits, motor weakness, calcium loss from long bones, cognitive and visual dysfunction, and altered balance.Assess previous mode of transfer (if applicable).Determine the number of people needed to assist with transfer. Do not start procedure until all required caregivers are available.Perform hand hygiene.Lower the head of the bed as much as the patient can tolerate. Ensure that bed brakes are locked.Have the patient cross arms on chest, or place the patient's crossed arms on chest.Lower side rails. To place slide board under the patient (Figure 2), position two nurses on side of bed to which the patient is to be turned. Position third nurse on the other side of bed.Fanfold the drawsheet on both sides.Using the count of three, turn the patient onto side as one unit with a smooth, continuous motion.Place slide board under drawsheet (Figure 3Gently roll the patient back onto the slide board.Line up the stretcher with the bed. Lock brakes on stretcher.Have two nurses position themselves on the side of the stretcher, while the third nurse positions self on the side of the bed without the stretcher.Using a count of three, have the two nurses pull drawsheet with the patient onto stretcher while the third nurse holds the drawsheet to help guide the patient to the stretcher (Figure 4). Once the patient is safely on the stretcher, have the third nurse remove the slide board.Position the patient in center of stretcher. Raise head of stretcher if not contraindicated. Raise stretcher side rails. Cover the patient.Assess, treat, and reassess pain.Perform hand hygiene.Document the procedure in the patient's record.