Video: How to move and position a person in bed (for care workers)

Transcript

[Music plays]

>> Narrator (female voice): How to move and position a person in bed for care workers.

In this video you will be shown how to move and position a person in the bed using a step-by-step process.

Please do not attempt to use slide sheets if you have not been trained.

This is a two-person task. You will need someone to help you.

Report any signs of pain or distress to your manager or supervisor.

Step 1.

Get the things you need

• 2 slide sheets
• Several pillows
• Step-by-step guide
• And hand sanitiser.

When positioning a person in the bed, slide sheets are often used to protect the skin of the person being moved, and to reduce the strain on the people doing the moving.

Explain to the person that you are going to move them.

Clean your hands.

Continue to tell the person what you are doing, even if they cannot respond.

Raise the bed to hip height if possible so you don’t have to bend over.

Start with the person lying flat in the bed. You will be on one side of the bed and someone to help you will be on the other side of the bed.

Step 2.

Gently lift and bend the person’s leg.

Place your hands on their hip and shoulder and gently turn them onto their side. The weight of the bent leg will make turning the person easier.

Roll the person to the side that is most comfortable for them.

Step 3.

The person helping you will support the person while you hold and line up the 2 slide sheets against each other.

Step 4.

Once they are lined up, place the slide sheets lengthways next to the person.

Step 5.

Bunch the slide sheets up and tuck half under the person.

Step 6.

Let the person roll gently onto their back.

Half of the slide sheet is now under them.

Step 7.

Support the person as your helper pulls the slide sheets out on the other side.

Step 8.

Gently lower the person.

The slide sheets are now fully under the person.

The next step is to move the person into the desired position in the bed using the top slide sheet.

Step 9.

To move a person up the bed bunch the top slide sheet and hold it as close as possible to the person’s shoulders. Pull them up the bed by transferring the weight from your front to your back leg.

Use the same technique to move a person over to one side of the bed.

Once the person has been moved the slide sheets can be removed.

Step 10.

Roll the person to their most comfortable side using the same technique as before.

Step 11.

Remove the bottom slide sheet by pulling it under itself diagonally and across from under the person.

Start from the feet and work towards the head.

Step 12.

Pull out the remaining slide sheet with the same method.

Finally, make the person comfortable.

Step 13.

Use the pillows to get them into a comfortable position.

Here is a suggested position.

Place a pillow behind the person’s back to keep them on their side.

Raise the person’s head to 30 degrees by lifting the head of the bed or using pillows.

Support the arms with pillows.

Place a pillow between the legs to prevent the knees and ankles rubbing.

Extend the chin up and tilt the head forward to make sure that the person’s airway remains well opened.

If you raised the bed, lower it back to a safe position.

After you have finished you can clean your hands.

[Text on screen: caring@home. caringathomeproject.com.au. caring@home is funded by the Australian Government and led by Brisbane South Palliative Care Collaborative]