Lifting and Moving Patients

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CHAPTER 5
Lifting and Moving Patients
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Lifting Techniques

• Back injuries are a leading cause of long-term
  disability for EMTs.
• Lift safely.

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Lifting Considerations

• Consider the weight of object/ patient.
• Communicate with partner.
• Identify the need for help before lifting.
• Have a plan.

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Guidelines for Lifting

• Use your legs to lift.
• Have feet positioned properly.
• Keep weight close to body.
• Lift without twisting.

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Use legs, not back, to lift.
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Keep weight close to your body.
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Power-LiftPosition
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Power-Grip
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Safe Reaching Techniques

• Keep your back locked in.
• Avoid twisting while reaching.
• Avoid reaching more than 15-20 inches in front of
  your body.

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Safe Pushing and Pulling

• Push, rather than pull.
• Keep your back locked in (whenever possible).
• Keep weight close to your body.

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Safe Pushing and Pulling

• Keep your knees bent.
• Avoid pushing or pulling overhead.
• Keep elbows bent and arms close to sides.
• If weight is below waist level, push or pull from
  a kneeling position.

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Types ofMoves
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Emergency Moves

• Scene is hazardous.
• Life-threatening condition requires move.
• Patient must be moved to reach a critical patient.

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Emergency Move Clothes Drag
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Emergency Move Incline Drag (Head-First)

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Emergency Move FirefightersDrag
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Emergency Move Firefighters Carry
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Emergency Move One-Rescuer Assist
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Emergency MoveTwo-Rescuer Assist
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Urgent Moves

• Scene factors cause a decline in patient
  condition.
• Treatment of patients condition requires a move.

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Urgent Move with Spinal Precautions
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Non-Urgent Moves

• Use when there is no threat to life.
• Use when patients condition allows for
  assessment and care.
• Typically utilize a carrying device.

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Non-Urgent MoveExtremity Carry

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Patient-Carrying Devices
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Wheeled Ambulance Stretcher
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Portable Stretcher
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Stair Chair
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Long Spine Board
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Patient Immobilized on Long Spine Board
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Short Spine Board
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Vest-Type Extrication Device
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Patient Immobilized in Vest-TypeExtrication
Device

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Scoop (Orthopedic) Stretcher
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Basket (Stokes) Stretcher
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Flexible (Reeves) Stretcher
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Moving Patients toCarrying Devices
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Carrying Device Choice

• What is the patients position?
• Is there a suspected spinal cord injury?

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Patient Positioning

• Part of patient care plan
• Must not cause harm to patient
• Must be safe

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Recovery Position Unconscious Patient without
Spinal Injury
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Position of Comfort
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Shock Position Patient without Spinal Injury
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Transferring the Patient to a Hospital Stretcher
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Position stretcher.
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Pull sheet under patient taut.
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Slide patient to hospital stretcher.
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Be sure patient is centered. Raise side rail.
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Review Questions

1. Describe the principles of safe lifting. 2.
Differentiate between emergency, urgent, and
non-urgent moves. Give example of each.
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Review Questions

3. List several patient-carrying devices.
Describe a use for each. 4. Describe several
patient positions.
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STREET SCENES

• What device should be used to remove the patient
  from the vehicle?
• What patient-care issues are important when using
  an extrication device?

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STREET SCENES

• What is the next thing to consider when actually
  moving the patient from the vehicle?
• What emergency-care equipment was used for this
  patient? Why?

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STREET SCENES

• What is the next step before moving this patient
  again?
• What other safety considerations should be
  considered when moving the long board to the
  wheeled stretcher?