Relocating, moving and mobilizing patients are integral parts of a nurse’s daily work. Anyone working with the elderly and patients knows: This is back-breaking work in the truest sense of the word. Many nursing staff therefore suffer from back problems. This is most often caused by frequent lifting of heavy loads – often in a forward bent posture – and lack of use of technical aids in the fast-paced and often stressful working day. The ergonomic implementation of work steps in nursing can significantly reduce stress. So also with the assistance with the seat change with the help of a towel:
Preparation of the resident
• The foot which is in the desired direction of movement is placed to the front, the other to the rear
• The chair and bed are set up at a 90° angle
Preparation for nursing staff
• Both knees stabilise the patient’s knees
• A towel is placed around the patient’s back and grasped as closely as possible on both sides
• Offset, slightly crouched stance
Changing seats
• The nursing staff slowly shifts his body weight backwards until the patient’s buttocks rise
• The knees stay tightly together
• The nursing staff slowly turns his feet into the desired position direction of movement
• The body weight is slowly moved backwards and downwards until the resident sits again – with the arms stretched out continuously
