Make Transporting Clients Easier With The Right Equipment
Posted on: 30 June 2019
When you are responsible for transporting clients throughout a hospital or nursing facility, the right equipment is necessary to do the job safely. From gait belts to assist people who are walking, to the right catheter bag holder for wheelchairs, it can be easier to take care of people who are medically fragile with the right tools in place. Keep your patients safe, and don't get tangled up in cords or tubes when you have the right types of bag holders available on wheelchairs, gurneys and wheeled stands for those that are walking. Know what you need when it comes to transporting patients who aren't very mobile on their own.
Keep Tubes From Getting Tangled
If you have to transport a patient in a wheelchair that has a catheter in or an IV in their arm, you will need to have a good holder in place to take care of any bags. If you don't, the patient may end up with the catheter bag on their lap or on the side of the wheelchair, creating the risk of the catheter tube getting stuck in the wheel. If the catheter tube gets pulled for any reason, this can cause the catheter to be pulled out, a painful experience for your patient.
Always Use the Correct Safety Gear
Once you have the right wheelchair attachments to transport a patient, you also need to pay attention if you need to use a gait belt for transfers. If your patient is only being wheeled from one area of the hospital to another but can walk, they may need to be transferred correctly to a bed or chair. If this is the case, you will want to use a gait belt to help your patient stand and transfer them as necessary. In addition, make sure your patient has on shoes that won't slip in the event they have to walk.
Know How to Use the Wheelchair
Getting patients in and out of a wheelchair, especially those with catheter bags, takes a little skill. Understand how to lock the wheels and move any foot rests that are in the way before you try to transfer your patient into the wheelchair. Once the chair is secure and the foot rests are moved, you will be able to safely transfer your patient from a chair or bed into the wheelchair.
With the right equipment, you can safely take care of patients in a nursing home or hospital. Always use safety gear and know how to work the wheelchair before trying to put a patient in it. For more information, contact companies like Catheter Caddy LLC.
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