Transferring: Bed to chair

• Transferring


  A nursing skill that helps weakened or dependent patients or patients with restricted mobility attain positions to regain optimal independence as quickly as possible
• Equipment for transferring

  • Robe or appropriate clothing
  • Slippers or shoes with non-skid shoes
  • Transfer belt/transfer aid
  • Chair, commode, wheelchair as appropriate to the patient's need
• Assessment for transferring

  1. Assess physiological capacity to transfer

  2. Assess for weakness, dizziness, or orthostatic hypotension

  3. Assess activity tolerance

  4. Assess proprioceptive function

  5. Assess sensory status

  6. Assess level of comfort

  7. Assess vital signs

  8. Assess patient's cognitive status
• Whenever possible, position the chair so that it is against a wall or a solid piece of furniture, so that it will not slide backward during the transfer
• Seek assistance when moving or lifting patient (e.g. when the patient is overweight, medicated or confused)
• Determine patient limitations (e.g. changes in Blood Pressure, mobility restrictions) that affect safe transfer techniques