Working in the health service is physically very strenuous and dangerous. It can happen that a nursing staff has to lift up to 1.8 tons in one shift. In the USA alone, 35,000 nursing staffs suffer injuries to the musculoskeletal system every year due to excessive strain. 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. Today we explain the repositioning by a nursing staff with the aid of a sliding mat and a sliding sheet:
1. Alternative
Placement of the sliding mat
• A sliding sheet is placed between the resident and the sliding mat, but the steps described in the previous exercise are taken into account
Repositioning the resident
• The lower ends of the sliding sheet are crossed at hip height above the resident (Fig. 1/2) and gripped by the nursing staff, his palms pointing down
• With the other hand he grasps the sliding sheet at the shoulder
• The resident is moved upwards by shifting his body weight
2. Alternative
Placement of the sliding mat
• A sliding sheet is rolled and placed under the resident’s thighs
Repositioning the resident
• The nursing staff grips both ends of the sliding sheet with both palms facing down
• The other hand he pushes under the shoulder blade of the resident
• The resident is moved upwards by shifting his body weight
Here are again all steps in a video:
