Ensuring a Safe Transfer

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     In transfers, we move an individual from one surface to the other safely. It's important that any transfer made is safe and very efficient. Here are are somethings a therapist consider while performing transfer to be safe and effective.

     To ensure a safe and efficient transfer, the therapist should know the patient's capabilities and information. This begins with the therapist understanding the client's balance, strength, body type, endurance, Range of Motion, where the therapist tests the limit or extent the client's joint moves around, orthortics/prosthetics, their wheel chair style and learning style. Knowing all these factors will help the therapist understand how to work with the client. 

     Secondly, the therapist should make sure they are prepared. Things that are important when preparing are the physical strength of the therapist, emotions, body mechanics and their body size compared to the client's body size. The capabilities of the therapist is very important. To be able to ensure the transfer being performed is safe, the therapist has to be on guard to make sure if the client isn't able to do any movement independently, they will step in to help. The therapist needs to also make sure that they are aware of the affected and unaffected areas of the client.

     Next, the therapist has to make sure communication is very clear to the client and the client isn't confused. Also with this, the therapist must interact both vocally and visually. In the visual way, the therapist must demonstrate and practice with the client to make sure they understand what transfer is being done and see how to do it. With some clients, just giving guidance verbally isn't enough for them. It is also very important to the client's role to them and where the therapist supports.  

     The next thing to consider while working on safe transfer is the environment. The environment plays a role in how the transfer can be performed and what to do. It's important that there's a set up made before a transfer. For example for wheel chair transfers, it's important to make sure wheels are locked, gaps are. closed, caster wheels are out of the way and gait belt is on when needed.  In bed transfers, the therapist needs to make to make sure the height of the bed is adjusted for the client to be comfortable. The therapist also has to make sure the client is in appropriate clothes and footwear at all times.

     Lastly, another important thing to consider is how to uplift and encourage the client to participate in performing transfers. If the client doesn't have the motivation and feels its not needed or always feel down that they cant do the transfer, it wont be effective. It's important for the therapist to always let them know they are. able to accomplish their goal and be effective with it and they are also there to support them. This will help the client see this to be productive.

     These are some of the most common factors that are needed to be considered for a transfer to be safe and effective. It's very important for the therapist and client to know and understand why and what they are doing.



                                                            References 

Weisser-Pike, O. (2023). Lecture 10 Bed Mobility & Transfers [PowerPoint presentation].

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