HOB 2013

Body Mechanics

The back you save can be your own

HOB 2013

Posture Counts!

• Head up • Shoulders back• Chest out• Stomach and

buttocks tucked in

• Back straight

HOB 2013

The Balanced Spine

HOB 2013

Where is our strength

• Legs are stronger than our backs

• Widen foot stance• Squat from hips• Tighten your stomach abs• The abs attach to spine

– Approach as being punched– Tighten the abs – hold your

breathe and you protect your back

HOB 2013

See the difference?

HOB 2013

•Ask for help with heavy objects•Stand close to the load•Assume a wide stance with firm footing.•Position yourself in front of the load.•Bend the knees and hips while maintaining the normal sway in the low back- a neutral spine.•Use a cart for heavy items when appropriate

Lifting Techniques

HOB 2013

•Hold the object close to your body and lift with the load while maintaining the sway in the low back; use your legs!•Lift steadily, do not jerk. •Never bend and twist when lifting. This puts extreme pressure on the discs in the back.

Lifting Techniques

HOB 2013

Look carefully

• Feet apart• Back straight• Arms close to

body• Squat from hips• The legs will lift

HOB 2013

Use equipment to lift

Office Ergonomics

• Adjust your chair so your feet are flat on the floor or on a footrest

• Adjust keyboard height so your forearms are parallel with the floor

• Your chair should provide firm lower back support; your thighs should be parallel to the floor

• Your monitor should be 18 to 20 inches from your eyes

HOB 2013

Ergonomics

• Align your chair, keyboard and monitor so you are sitting and looking straight ahead while you work

• Place your keyboard at or near elbow level

• Practice good posture at your workstation

• Take occasional mini breaks and stretch during the day

• Keep your phone within easy reachHOB 2013

HOB 2013

Raise the Bed – Use equipment

• Hoyer Lift

HOB 2013

Maintenance•Arm rests•Leg rests•Brakes•Folding

Wheelchair Safety

HOB 2013

Moving Patient Issues

• Lying to sitting position• Bed to chair • Chair to car

HOB 2013

•Setting the Stage The most important part of

the procedure•Team Work •The client and all helpersWhat does it mean to count to three?•Using a Gait/Transfer Belt

General Transfers

HOB 2013

Enlist the help of Patient

• Explain what will happen• Demonstrate what you want

them to do (pivot)• Go slow enough that they do

not get dizzy – allow to sit on side of bed

HOB 2013

Stand-Pivot Transfer

•Position chair next to the bed at a slight angle as demonstrated.

•Remove any obstacles.•Help patient to the edge of the bed moving toward uninvolved side.

•Place transfer belt around patient snugly (if available).

General Transfers

HOB 2013

Stand-Pivot Transfer

•Stay close to patient.•Have patient move toward edge of bed/chair as independently as possible.

•If help is needed for above, assistant should maintain proper posture with lumbar spine in neutral.

General Transfers

HOB 2013

Stand-Pivot Transfer

•Have patient push up from bed and stand.

•Be sure to position self to avoid bending and twisting.

•Maintain a neutral spine during transfer.

•Instruct patient to reach for the arm rest of the chair.

General Transfers

HOB 2013

Two Person Lift

•Do not allow patient to hold you around the neck.

•Use correct positioning if two people are required for the transfer. One person should be in front, the other to the side (demonstration).

•Position chair right next to bed-remove arm of chair if possible.

General Transfers

HOB 2013

Two Person Lift

•Position one (1) lifter at head, one (1) at foot.

•Both lifters use good body mechanics and maintain a neutral spine as they reach to lift the patient.

•One (1) lifter acts as the leader, counts to three (3) and the team lifts the patient into the bed/chair while using good body mechanics.

General Transfers

HOB 2013

Sliding Board

Position chair right next to bed

Remove arm from chairAssist patient to a sitting position on the edge of the bed.

Use transfer belt if available.

Stand in front of the patient to prevent sliding forward.

General Transfers

HOB 2013

Sliding Board

•Position board under patient's buttock and on the chair.

•Patient uses arms to slide body along the board.

•Assist as needed using good body mechanics.

General Transfers

HOB 2013

Chair to Car

• Explain process to patient• Move chair close to car seat • Patient may use arms on chair to

help stand• Your knees to his knees (bracing)• Stand and pivot• Instruct patient to bend forward

and sit

HOB 2013

Walkers:•Types – Standard, Folding, Rolling, Platform

•Step One – Adjust the height of the walker.

•The top of the handle to the bend in the wrist.

Assisting the Ambulatory Person

HOB 2013

•The walker is not a stabilization device for standing from a seated

position.

•Allow the person to rise or sit with assistance from the chair before reaching for the walker.

•Be sure to guard the person from behind and slightly to the side

during ambulation.

Assisting the Ambulatory Person

HOB 2013

Canes:

•Types – Walkcane, Straight cane, Quad cane

•Step One – Adjust the height of the cane.•The top of the

handle to the bend in the wrist.

Assisting the Ambulatory Person

HOB 2013

Canes:

•Standing and sitting

•The cane is not a stabilization device for standing from a seated position

•Allow the person to rise or sit with assistance from the chair before reaching for the cane.

Assisting the Ambulatory Person

HOB 2013

Problem Solving…..

• How do you do it?• Safety #1 issue• YOU and the PATIENT