1. General Mobility Guidelines CSU School of Nursing
Fall 2016
Maureen Whitford, PT, PhD, NCS
Matt Burnett, SPT
Jenna Faiella, SPT
Angela Formanik, SPT
Jenna Heffernan, SPT
Alexa Katrinchak, SPT Sarah Popernack, SPT
Josh Scribben, SPT
Amanda Videmsek, SPT

2. Acknowledgement
Composed primarily by Amanda Videmsek, SPT (slight edits from Dr. Whitford)

3. Moving a Patient Up in Bed (2 Person Sheet Lift)
Place draw sheet under patient
Gather sheet close to patients trunk and pelvis and grasp firmly
On the count of 3, lift or slide patient upward/downward in bed; put bed in Trendelenberg if person big/total assist
Maintain proper body mechanics during transfer
Wide base of support
Bend with hips and knees – not back

4. Bed to Cart Transfer (3 person slide/lift; using sheet)
Designate a leader (to count, be in charge)
Place sheet under patient
2 Lifters on one side of patient
Trunk and low back
Pelvis and legs
1 Lifter on opposite side of bed (body mechanics)
Gather sheet and grasp close to patient
On command lift/slide patient towards cart
Move patient toward center of the new surface
*May need to do in 2 steps
*May use plastic board or Jimmy slide(?)

5. Bed  Wheelchair Transfer (Stand Pivot)
Explain & put gait belt on patient (don’t put up under arms)
Lock & position wheelchair (45-60° angle to bed)
Assist patient to scoot forward to put feet flat on ground
Patient leans forward (“nose over toes”) to initiate transfer
Patient pushes through arms and legs
Assist patient to stand using gait belt (use good body mechanics)
Give patient a minute to stand before pivoting
Patient pivots by taking small steps; let patient do as much as able; **Use walker if used in PT
To sit: patient reaches back toward armrest and lowers slowly into chair with assistance as needed

6. Ambulation with 1 Person
Stand slightly behind and toward patient’s weak side
Position one hand on gait belt and one hand on shoulder or upper chest
Place your feet in A/P stance
Walker: move walker, weak leg, strong leg
Cane: just walk naturally
Crutches: *depends

7. Ambulation with 2 people (no device)
*Usually if you need people, the person would do better WITH a device (walker, etc.)
Explain & put gait belt on
Maintain grasp on gait belt (not under arms) & 1 hand anterior gently on their chest
Each person stand to either side of patient
Move forward in step with patient
Alternative:
One nurse stands slightly behind and toward patient’s weak/involved side holding gait belt
Second nurse follows with WC or carries/manages equipment during ambulation

8. References
1. Fairchild S. Pierson F. Pierson And Fairchild's Principles & Techniques Of Patient Care. St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier; 2013.