Body Mechanics Training For Shelter Staff 2014

Transcription

1 Body Mechanics Training For Shelter Staff 2014

2 Valerie Risher, RN, BSN FDOH Region 5 Special Needs Consultant Terry B. Freeman, RN Disaster Health Services Advisor, Florida American Red Cross Robert Kosiba, CEM FDOH Region 6 Special Needs Consultant 2

3 The Goal: Avoid Injuries Back injuries can result from sports injuries, work around the house, the garden, or in the office, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident. 3

4 Definition of Body Mechanics Body mechanics is the utilization of correct muscles to complete a task safely and efficiently, without undue strain on any muscle or joint. 4

5 Principles of Good Body Mechanics Maintain a wide base of support. This will provide you with maximum stability while lifting. Keep your feet approximately shoulder width apart. Place one foot slightly ahead of the other. Flex your knees to absorb jolts. Turn with your feet. 5

6 Techniques of Body Mechanics Lifting Use the stronger leg muscles for lifting. Bend at the knees and hips; keep your back straight. Avoid Stooping (Bending at the waist) Lift straight upward, in one smooth motion. 6

7 Techniques of Body Mechanics Reaching Stand directly in front of and close to the object. Avoid twisting or stretching. Use a stool or ladder for high objects. Maintain good balance and a firm base of support. 7

8 Plan the Lift Before moving the object, be sure that it is not too large or too heavy. Is your path clear? Is the area that you will be placing the object ready for it? 8

9 General Considerations For Performing Physical Tasks Keep the work as close as possible to your body. It puts less of a strain on your back, legs, and arms. Keep the work at a comfortable height to avoid excessive bending at the waist. 9

10 General Wheelchair Information Learn how to apply the brakes and release them. Learn how to remove the arms of the wheelchair (some swing away, while others come off completely). Learn how to remove the footrests (some swing up or away). For electric chairs, listen to the user on how to keep the chair stable for transfers or lifts. 10

11 Safety Considerations Sixty square feet is the amount of room each client is allotted in the special needs shelter (not much room to maneuver). Position wheelchair at about a 45 degree angle. Make sure the brakes on the wheel chair have been applied. Make sure the legs of the cot are secure. Remove or swing foot rests out of the way. Remove chair arm rests as needed. 11

12 Safety Considerations Check the legs on the cot to ensure they have not moved. Make sure that the cot is stabilized by another person or against a wall. Check for trip hazards and remove them. Make sure the client is wearing shoes to prevent slipping. 12

13 Transfer (Gait) Belt Transfer belts provide a safe grip for caregivers during assisted transfers or walking assistance. 13

14 Assisting Clients in Transfers Ask what you can do to assist. No matter how much you know, the client with a mobility limitation knows more about what they need. They may need no assistance whatsoever. This is called the no touch transfer and is often overlooked. 14

15 Assisting Clients in Transfers Discuss the process before you begin. Tell the client that you will be using the transfer belt (for safety reasons). Ask them to move to the edge of the locked wheelchair or cot. Make sure the client s feet are securely flat on the floor. Tell the client to assist by pushing up on the arm rests 15

16 Assisting Clients in Transfers Count to three Stand and balance. Pivot. Lower to sit. 16

17 Assisting Clients in Transfers Do not lift the client into a standing position. Instead, rock their weight forward, from their hips onto their feet. At the same time, rock your weight onto your back foot. 17

18 Assisting Clients in Transfers Make sure the client can see (or feel) the surface to which he is being transferred. Always move your body in the direction in which the transfer is taking place. Transfer clients towards their stronger side. 18

19 The One-Person Transfer ONLY If client is partially dependent, cooperative and able to bear some weight. AND it is a lateral transfer. 19

20 The One-Person Transfer Stand as close to the client as possible. Stand with a broad base of support. Assist the client at the waist. Bend your hips and knees, keeping your back straight. 20

21 The Two-Person Transfer Always try to use the buddy system while transferring a client from one place to another. Always use the transfer belts provided. 21

22 The Two-Person Transfer Help the client to lean forward. Reach over the client's back and place your hands securely along the scapula and onto the ribcage. Place the transfer belt in position so that you may accomplish this position. Do not grab under the client s arms, this can cause injury to their shoulders. 22

23 The Two-Person Transfer As their hips clear the chair, you will now help pivot the client's hips to the cot. Position yourself to protect your back. Hold the transfer belt firmly. Lower the client s hips onto the cot. 23

24 Falling The main goal is to prevent people from falling, but the reality is they might fall. If a client falls against you and you cannot right them, or they collapse during a transfer, the best you can do is ease them to the floor, hopefully sliding them down your leg. 24

25 Floor Transfers If the client has fallen, take a moment to determine if they are injured. Proceed with the floor transfer as discussed in the following slides. Prepare an incident report. 25

26 Floor Transfers If the person is not injured, the best way to help them get up is to assist them to get on their hands and knees. Give them a sturdy object ( a heavy chair, or wheelchair with brakes on) to pull themselves to a kneeling position. Then assist them to stand, one leg at a time, turning and sitting in the chair. 26

27 Floor Transfer If an injury is suspected, CALL the Shelter MANAGER!! The Shelter Manager may call 911 if they need to be transported to the hospital Emergency Room. The Shelter Manager will determine if the client should be moved. If client needs to be moved, use a body board if available, or place a sheet or a blanket under them and a pillow under the head. Four to six people need to lift very carefully to keep the client as straight as possible. Roll edges to hold blanket as close as possible to the body. 27

28 Summary Maintain a Wide Base of Support. This will provide you with maximum stability while lifting. Maintain Proper Body Alignment. 28

29 Summary When transferring clients from one place to another: Use the transfer belts provided. Use two or three people to transfer clients. Always use proper body mechanics. HELP EACH OTHER, WE NEED EVERYONE! 29

30 Practice Session Divide into groups Practice Applying Transfer Belt. 1 person transfers. 2 person transfers. 30