#7414 REC Guide to Bariatric Transfers and Manual Handling

Course overview

This course provides insight into the challenges faced by healthcare workers in bariatric transfers and manual handling. We will discuss how to reduce workplace injury by identifying how a patient can assist in their transfers, identify risk factors and apply safety measures while performing bariatric transfers, use of the right equipment, assessing the environment and techniques for emergency evacuation of bariatric patients. Improved means for different manual handling techniques for routine tasks will be shared, including lifting, turning and repositioning patients, bathing tasks, making occupied beds, standing patients, conducting patient transfers. In this scenario conventional standard manual handling practices as the patients weight is unevenly distributed, can be bulky or asymmetrical and cannot be held close to the nurse or patient care staff. uncooperative behavior or sudden loss of balance. We will discuss the use of right body mechanics, pathway flowcharts for community transfers, ambulance transfers, 7 algorithms for transfers as published by the US department of Veterans. This approach aids in staff retention, reduces workplace injuries and prolongs a clinicians career in their chosen field of healthcare. The clinician is expected to be confident and safe in performing bariatric transfer at work the next day. (Intermediate Level)