How do you lift a patient's body from the floor?

Answer 1

How a medical person would lift a patient from the floor would depend on several factors, such as:

• Can the patient comprehend directions?
• What is the patient's level of consciousness?
• Is the patient physically able to assist with the lift?
• Does the patient have full use of all limbs? For example, a stroke patient would need more assistance.
• Does the patient have any acute issues at the time? For example, if the patient is dizzy, resulting in a fall, you'd need more help with the lift.
• In all circumstances, the worker would do an assessment before attempting a lift. Check for injuries, cuts, red marks, fractures, etc. Check pulse and respirations. If able, check blood pressure.

  If a patient is conscious, can follow directions, and is completely able to assist, the medical worker could stand in front of the patient, with a chair or bed close to the side of the patient. The worker would place his or her arms (the worker's arms) directly at/under the patient's underarms, and the worker would grasp his or her own hands / forearms around the patient's front. One mistake many workers make is that they only put their hands under the underarm; this is an unsafe method and can dislocate the patient's shoulder joint. Instruct the patient, "On a count of 3, I'll help lift you. When I say 3, stand up with both feet flat on the floor." The worker should be sure to plant his or her own feet at a wide stance, for stability. Once the patient is up, don't let go until you are certain that the patient is steady.

  With an amputee, instruct the person to stand on the remaining leg. For a stroke patient with one-sided paralysis, you'd instruct the patient to stand on the unaffected leg. Then in either situation, you'd pivot the patient to the chair or bed. The biggest mistake workers make for a lift-pivot is that they don't bring the bed or chair close enough to pivot-sit. The pivot motion should smoothly end with the patient seated safely on the chair or bedside. If into bed, once the patient is seated, you'd move one of your arms under the upper back and one under the patient's knees to swing the legs up into the bed. Lifts with an amputee or stroke victim take practicce to do safely and correctly.

  If a patient was unconscious or unable to follow directions, a 2-person or 4-person sheet-lift is best. Important: You will already have done an assessment for injuries. Leave the patient on the floor while another worker grabs a sheet or blanket; folded in half is easiest to use. Lay the sheet beside the patient, using the mid-point of the sheet folded in layers against the body, as if doing an occupied bed change. Roll the patient away from the sheet; pull or push (depending on which side you're on) the sheet so that the mid-point of the sheet is under the patient. Gently lay the patient again onto his or her back; roll the patient to the opposite side and pull the layers of sheet through so that the patient is centered on the sheet. Each lifter should again fold/roll excess material up to the patient's sides, keeping the material firmly within the workers' fists. Instruct the patient to fold his or her arms across the chest, or the worker may have to do this positioning. You need the patient's arms and hands inside the sheet, so that when the workers lift, the entire patient is supported by the sheet. On a count of 3, all workers should lift as a team and move the patient to the bed. Note: You could also do a Hoyer Lift but sometimes it is more convenient to just use a blanket or sheet. You should always pick the best method for the individual's situation.

  Trained workers can also do a human "chair lift" for conscious, cooperative patients. If the patient is on his side, have him roll onto his back. Kneel behind him and lift the head and shoulders so that the patient is supported against the worker's chest / upper body. Worker #2 would first position the patient's legs, bent at the knees, feet on the floor. Worker #2 would slip a hand behind the patient's back, while worker #1 (supporting the patient) would move to the patient's side while also keeping one hand around the patient's back. Worker #1 and #2 should overlap and lock their arms; i.e. worker #1 grab worker #2's forearm while worker #2 grabs worker #1's forearm. Both workers with their free arms would each slip their arms under the patient's knees, forming a "basket" in which the patient is enclosed. On a count of 3, both workers would use their legs to lift (not their backs), then stand up while holding the patient. They should move quickly to the bed after both workers are steady. All movements should be communicated and initiated "on a count of 3". The first biggest mistake in the basket lift is not using the correct workers--each should be about the same height and strength. The second biggest mistake is that the workers do not allow themselves enough time to steady themselves after standing up. Moving too fast and not communicating to the other worker about intended movements can cause injuries to either or both workers and to the patient. Work quickly but safely, always telling the other worker what action will be done next.