Patients use wheelchairs when they find moving around extremely difficult or impossible. Thus it is evident that when they must be put to bed or moved around from one spot to another, it will require the help of another person. Wheelchair transportation may seem like an easy task, but it is not. It requires expertise to ensure that you transport the patient safely. That being said, it should not be difficult if you know and follow the right way.
Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the task, people prefer to hire caretakers. Since they are trained on the job, there is no way anything can go wrong in their watch. They will successfully transfer your patient from one place to another without discomfort or injury.
Patient care transfers are an essential part of patient care systems, but it is often neglected. Depending on the patient's condition, care is extended to them in multiple settings during and after hospitalization. Some aspects of patient transfer vary depending on the intra hospital transport and the patient's status. Wrongly organized patient transfers that include novices to handle patients can have fatal results for the patient. Thus safe transportation from hospital to home is as important as transportation from home to the hospital.
Tips for Wheelchair Transportation
As we already mentioned, wheelchair transportation can be tricky, and if you are to do it yourself, you must know the right way. Here are some tips for transferring a patient from a wheelchair to the bed or vice versa.
- Explain to the patient how the wheelchair works. If the patient knows how it functions, he will be more secure and not panic in any situation.
- Draw the footrest and armrest and move any chair parts that might result in tripping when transferring from the wheelchair.
- Before rolling the wheelchair, see that the locks are applied and secured. This will make sure that you perform your wheelchair transportation without accidents and avoid inflicting pain on the patient.
- Park the wheelchair parallel to the bed. This makes wheelchair transportation more manageable and more comfortable.
- Ensure that you have a proper ramp and pathways to transfer patients from one spot to another.
Preferences
- Determine how much or how little the patient can move in the wheelchair. Understanding the state of mobility of the patient is vital to conducting a successful wheelchair transportation session.
- Be clear about what could be uncomfortable for the patient and avoid doing so. Touch only the east parts while helping them to avoid pain and discomfort.
- Get an ambulance with all the necessary facilities when transporting a patient to the hospital. In the case of non-emergency transportation, opt for non-emergency medical transportation services.
The Best way to Conduct Wheelchair Transportation
The best way to conduct wheelchair transportation is to include two people. This makes the task easier and much safer for the patient. Keep the following in mind when transporting the patient:
- One caretaker should be in the front and the other at the back to lift the patient without discomfort or pain.
- The patient should be wearing a safe transfer belt to make the task easier for the caretakers.
- The caretakers must stand close to the patient throughout the wheelchair transportation session.
- Push the patient upwards and lift to ensure their feet remain below the body while transferring.
Why Choose Disabled Patient Transportation Services
Disabled people require special care when being transported from one place to another. They often need to visit the doctor if nothing else. Thus, opting for special transport for medical appointments is wise. They take care of the patient much better than a novice would do.
Besides medical visits, disabled people also need to go out and have a normal life. Lack of services and unsafe wheelchair transportation should not stand in between their daily life. Disabled patients need recreation just as much as anybody else. Being locked up in a room can lead to depression and anxiety.
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However, when choosing a transportation service, one must choose only the best. Ensure that you have enquired about all their services and how well they treat their patients. Wheelchair transportation is an integral part of such services. Unless experienced people are in charge, your patient could be exposed to danger. Here are some of the aspects to keep in mind while choosing your transport service
- The vehicle used should be equipped with all kinds of safety equipment.
- The caretakers are learned and experienced in their job.
- They maintain all safety standards.
Wheelchair transportation is challenging and can prove detrimental if not done correctly. Therefore, it is best to leave the task to professionals.
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