How to Lift a Fallen Patient

While working in the medical field you are faced with many challenges. With these challenges you must know how to protect the well-being of the patient while preventing injury to yourself. A common way medical workers cause injury to themselves is by lifting a fallen patient incorrectly. The steps to take before, during and after a patient has fallen are extremely important. Lifting a patient the wrong way could cause more harm to them as well as yourself.

Let them fall. Once the patient has already begun to fall, it is best not to try to stop or catch her. Instead guide them to the ground with as little impact as possible. Remember to focus on protecting the patient's head.

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Assess injury. Before lifting or moving any fallen patient, you must determine if any injuries have occurred. If so, tend to the injuries before attempting to lift the patient.

Grab a chair. If the patient is capable of lifting herself up, get a chair or walker. This will stabilize her and aid in pulling herself up.

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Hook your arms. If the patient is stable enough to stand then lifting them becomes easier. Have one person on each side of the patient hook their arms under the patient's armpit and lift.

Bring a blanket. If the patient is bedridden or unable to stand on her own you will not be able to just lift her up. Roll the patient onto her side. Place a blanket under the patient and gently roll him onto the blanket.

Lift. With two or more people on each side of the patient kneel on one knee and grasp the blanket. After a count of three, lift the patient while standing up. Carefully move the patient onto the bed.

Tips

Remember to bend at the knees not at the waist.

Warnings

Never try to lift a fallen patient alone. This could cause injury to yourself.