Moving in the Environment: Body Mechanics and Functional Transfer Techniques

Vocabulary flashcards covering body mechanics, transfer techniques, pre-transfer considerations, and GG scoring classification based on OTA 206 Chapter 15.

Transferring

The process of moving a patient's body from one surface to another.

Transfer Sequence

A sequence of events that occurs before, during, and after a transfer, ranging from bed mobility through wheelchair positioning once seated.

Stand pivot transfer

A type of transfer where the patient comes to a full standing position before pivoting to move from one surface to another.

Squat pivot transfer

A type of transfer where the patient moves from one surface to another by coming to a partial squat rather than a full stand.

Slide board transfer

A transfer technique utilizing a sliding board to bridge the gap between two surfaces.

One-person dependent transfer

A transfer performed by a single practitioner for a patient who cannot offer assistance.

Two-person dependent transfer

A transfer requiring two practitioners to safely move a patient who cannot offer assistance.

Physical assets and limitations

Physical strengths and deficits of a patient evaluated prior to transferring.

Cognitive assets and limitations

Mental capacities and comprehension deficits evaluated in a patient before planning a transfer.

Perceptual deficits

Sensory and spatial perception challenges in a patient that must be considered prior to a transfer.

Behavioral deficits

Behavioral factors or limitations in a patient that can impact the safety of a transfer.

Practitioner physical limitations

The physical constraints or capabilities of the clinician that affect transfer safety.

Sequential instructions

Clear, step-by-step guidance provided by the practitioner to the patient or caregiver during transfer execution.

Body mechanics: Proximity

The guideline to get close to the patient or move the patient closer to reduce strain.

Body mechanics: Facing direction

The principle requiring the practitioner to face the patient during movement.

Body mechanics: Knee flexion

The requirement to bend the knees and lift using the legs instead of the back.

Neutral spine

A spinal alignment that is kept straight, neither bent nor arched, during lifting and transferring.

Wide base of support

Keeping feet positioned wide apart to maintain stability during body movement.

Body mechanics: Foot position

Keeping heels firmly down on the floor during lifting and transferring.

Combining movements

Unsafe practice of performing multiple movements at once, such as rotating while bending forward or backward, which must be avoided.

Medical precautions in transfers

Specific medical constraints or physician orders that may restrict or influence the chosen transfer method.

Urgent elimination needs in transfers

Urinary or bowel urgency that makes a patient hurry, creating a safety hazard during a transfer.

Bed height adjustment

Modifying bed height relative to a wheelchair to facilitate a safer and smoother transfer.

Gait belt

A safety belt applied around a patient's waist prior to a transfer to allow secure control by the practitioner.

Leg management

A transfer component involving physical or verbal assistance to guide the patient's lower extremities.

Bed mobility

Movement components performed in bed as part of the overall transfer sequence.

Mobility CARE Items

The GG scoring framework used to classify a patient's assistance level during transfers.

GG scoring: Dependent

Classification where the helper does ALL of the effort, the person does none, or assistance of 2 or more helpers is required.

GG scoring: Substantial/maximal assistance

Classification where the helper provides MORE THAN HALF the effort by lifting or holding trunk or limbs.

GG scoring: Partial/moderate assistance

Classification where the helper provides LESS THAN HALF of the effort to lift, hold, or support trunk or limbs.

GG scoring: Supervision or touching assistance

Classification where helper provides verbal cues, touching/steadying, or contact guard assistance throughout or intermittently.

Contact guard assistance

A form of steadying touch provided under supervision scoring to support patient safety.

GG scoring: Set-up or cleanup assistance

Classification where helper sets up or cleans up prior to or following the activity, leaving the person to complete it independently.

GG scoring: Independent

Classification where the person completes the activity by himself/herself with no assistance from a helper.

Pelvic tilt principle

Adjusting the patient's pelvis into a neutral or slightly anterior tilt to shift center of mass forward over the base.

Anterior pelvic tilt

A forward pelvic positioning that aids in moving the patient's center of mass forward over their base of support.

Center of mass forward shift

Forward displacement of body mass facilitated by pelvic tilt to prepare for sit-to-stand movement.

Trunk alignment principle

Using verbal and physical cues to keep the patient's torso in a midline position before and during a transfer.

Midline trunk position

A centered, symmetrical posture of the patient's trunk maintained throughout transfer execution.

Weight shifting principle

Initiating a transfer by shifting the patient's body weight forward to facilitate standing.

Lower Extremity Positioning principle

Placing patient's feet firmly on the floor with knees flexed greater than 90 degrees for sit-to-stand.

Knee flexion angle for sit-to-stand

Flexing knees at an angle greater than 90 degrees with feet firmly planted to prepare for standing.

Upper Extremity Positioning principle

Using patient's upper extremities to assist standing or placing arms in a safe position like the lap if nonfunctional or contraindicated.

Nonfunctional upper extremity placement

Placing a patient's arms safely in their lap during a transfer if they are nonfunctional or subject to precautions.

Equipment working order

Pre-transfer check ensuring that all transfer tools and apparatuses are functioning properly.

Equipment placement order

Arranging transfer devices in the correct sequence and position before starting a patient movement.

Bedding and equipment clearance

Removing unnecessary bed linens and unused equipment from the transfer environment to ensure safety.

Verbal cues in transfers

Spoken instructions used to promote proper trunk alignment, positioning, and movement execution.

Physical cues in transfers

Hands-on guidance applied by the clinician to help direct trunk alignment or weight shift.

Requesting assistance guideline

Safety rule directing practitioners to ask for help rather than taking on more weight or effort than they can safely handle.