Nursing: Lifting, Transferring And Positioning Of Patients Essay

Nursing Lifting, Transferring and Positioning of PatientsABSTRACTLifting, transferring and spaceing of patients is oft undertaken bynurses on each working day. This is necessary for patient comfort, health checkreasons and completion of self care needs. Lifting can be done in numerous ways.As well as the nurse visiblely lifting or moving patients, a number of devicesare in addition available to help oneself in the transfer of patients. These range fromstraps that are attached to or fixed under the patients, to mechanical hoistsand lifters. Any assistance the nurse has is beneficial for twain the patientand the health care worker, as patients weights are generally heavier than thenurses physical capabilities. This, combined with incorrect lifting techniques,can result in muscle strain, or more seriously, spinal injury for the nurse, anddiscomfort, muscle strain or shape up injury for the patient.INTRODUCTIONWhen lifting, transferring or positioning patients, the most key s hape is safety. Any of these procedures need to be undertaken with itin mind. This safety is inclusive of both the patient and the health careworker. Communication is an important part of the lifting handle as the nurseshould elicit information from the client to find push through how and when they preferto be go. This allows the patient to be involved in the last makingprocess and be fully aware of what is occurring. By communication with theclient, the nurse is also aware of whether or not the patient is experiencing some(prenominal) discomfort during or after the lift.The actions of lifting, transferring or positioning need to be completed fornumerous reasons, including relief of haul points. Due to the patient organismin one position continuously, they are prone to the development of pressureareas. In terms of patient needs, being in the same position constantly isphysically uncomfortable. However, mentally, a change in the immediate purlieu is also beneficial for the pati ent. It is also necessary for thepatient to be moved for completion of their self care needs. This includestheir hygiene needs, which include, bathing or showering, elimination, hair, ad-lib and nail care.METHODWhen lifting, transferring or positioning patients manually, safety is the mostimportant factor. This safety is for the nurse thems... ... of using the lifters there may not be as muchmanual lifting necessary.Education about manual discourse is also vital to find out correct liftingtechniques are used. Constant re-evaluation of the staffs abilities andmethods would ensure safety for both parties involved. This would make staffaware that the least quantity of strain placed on the muscles and joints aspossible is beneficial to them.The re-evaluation is also important in the fact that it allows the health careworker to be constantly up to date on any new procedures which may be developed.REFERENCESKozier, B., Erb, G., Blais, K., Wilkinson, J.M. 1995, italics on Fundamentals of Nursing italics off, 5th Edition, Addison Wesley produce Company Inc.,United States of America.Love, C. 1995, Managing manual handling in clinical situations, italics onNursing Times italics off, vol. 91, no. 26, pp. 38-39.Scott, A. 1995, Improving patient moving and handling skills, italics onProfessional Nurse italics off, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 105-110.Seymour, J. 1995, Handling Aids - Lifting and moving patients, italics onNursing Times italics off, vol. 91, no. 27, pp. 48-50.