ambulate the resident using a transfer/gait belt

materials

gait belt

opening

• knock on door, greet, address pt by name

• explain you’re there yo help them walk

• close curtain

• wash hands

• collect gait belt

prepping the patient

• apply the gait belt before standing resident —> only flat finger fit under belt [put through part w/ teeth + fold extra material]

• acknowledge pt has non-slip shoes

procedure

• ask pt to put knees together so you can block feet w/ your foot

• ask pt to put their hands on your shoulders

• put your hands on gait belt

• count to 3 to stand

• ask how the pt feels when getting up

• keep at least one hand on gait belt

• walk 5 steps; ask how they feel

• turn the pt: keep a hand on each side, countdown, turn —> ask how they feel

• walk 5 steps back to chair

• turn them again towards you

• scoot back until legs hit chair

• put hands on both sides, ask pt to put hands on shoulder, block feet w/ foot, countdown sit

closing

• remove gait belt

• ask if they need anything

• hand them call light

• open curtain

• wash hands