In nursing care, high weights are often moved and the body reacts to unfavorable working angles in the medium and long term with symptoms and injuries – a consequence of excessive and one-sided loads during lifting and repositioning. However, the ergonomic optimization of important work steps and the use of aids can at least reduce the stress on the nursing staff’s side and make it more tolerable.
Our series „Ergonomic work in nursing professions“ gives tips and instructions for the ergonomic execution of daily tasks in the care sector. Today we explain the raising of a resident to the sitting position.
Preparation of the resident
• The resident’s front hand is placed on the abdomen or the rear shoulder
• The front leg is crossed over the rear leg and both legs are pushed to the edge of the bed
Preparation for nursing staff
• One hand is placed on the knee – and the other under the shoulder
• A stable standing position is important
Raising the resident
• The resident grabs the back of the nursing staff’s rear shoulder with his rear hand
• The nursing staff pulls the resident’s legs off the bed, guiding the resident into the sitting position
• The resident’s legs are supported by the nursing staff’s thighs
• In the whole movement sequence it is important that the resident keeps tension in his legs
Here are all steps shown in a video:
