12. Transfers

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the Patient Care Skills I lecture on safe transfers and patient handling.

Transfer Training

Instruction and practice aimed at safely moving patients between surfaces or positions.

Bed Mobility

Movements performed in bed (rolling, scooting, sitting) to position or prepare a patient for transfers.

Weight-Bearing Status

Prescribed amount of body weight a lower extremity may support during activity or transfer.

Full Weight Bearing (FWB)

No limitations; patient may place 100 % body weight on the limb.

Weight Bearing As Tolerated (WBAT)

Amount of weight through the limb is limited only by patient comfort.

Partial Weight Bearing (PWB)

Only a specified percentage—default 50 % if unspecified—of body weight is allowed on the limb.

Toe-Touch Weight Bearing (TTWB)

Foot may rest lightly on the floor for balance; no weight through the limb.

Non-Weight Bearing (NWB)

Extremity must not touch the ground or accept any weight.

Posterior Hip Precautions

No hip flexion > 90°, no adduction past midline, avoid internal rotation after posterior approach THA.

Anterior Hip Precautions

Avoid hip extension past neutral, bridging, prone lying, and external rotation after anterior approach THA.

Levels of Assistance

Standard categories describing how much help a patient needs to complete a transfer safely.

Independent

Patient completes transfer safely without verbal or physical help, in acceptable time.

Modified Independent (Mod I)

Independent transfer requiring assistive device or extra time.

Standby Assist (SBA)

Therapist remains within arm’s length for verbal cues or safety; no physical contact.

Supervision

Therapist monitors from a distance (across room) and provides verbal cues only.

Contact Guard Assist (CGA)

Hands-on guarding (usually via gait belt) without lifting unless loss of balance occurs.

Minimal Assistance

Patient performs > 75 % of the effort; therapist supplies < 25 %.

Moderate Assistance

Patient performs 50–75 % of effort; therapist supplies 25–50 %.

Maximal Assistance

Patient performs 25–50 % of effort; therapist supplies 50–75 %.

Dependent / Total Assistance

Patient performs < 25 % of effort; majority of transfer done by helpers or devices.

Progression of Assistance

Expected sequence of improvement: Total → Max → Mod → Min → CGA → SBA → Supervision → Mod I → Independent.

Gait Belt

Safety belt placed around patient’s waist to provide secure grip during transfers.

Stand Pivot Transfer

Patient stands fully, pivots on feet, and sits on target surface; knees often blocked by therapist.

Tuck (Squat) Pivot Transfer

Patient remains in flexed squat, pivots quickly between surfaces; efficient for hemiplegia.

Sliding Board Transfer

Uses a rigid board to bridge two surfaces, allowing seated patient to scoot across with minimal friction.

Walker Transfer

Patient stands, grabs walker, pivots with therapist guarding, then sits or walks as appropriate.

Trapeze

Over-bed triangular bar allowing patients to reposition; not intended for transfers.

Drawsheet Transfer

Sliding patient on a sheet between level surfaces with one or more helpers.

Full-Body Transfer Board

Low-friction board or roller that aids supine surface-to-surface transfers with drawsheet.

Two-Person Lift

Manual lift where two staff move a dependent patient between surfaces; used only when necessary.

Mechanical Lift (Hoyer)

Powered or hydraulic sling device for lifting and transferring dependent patients safely.

Quad Lift

Dependent lift providing trunk support when mechanical lift cannot be used; requires practiced technique.

Dependent Pivot Transfer

Therapist(s) block knees, lift patient’s trunk, and pivot entire body to new surface.

Blocking the Knees

Therapist’s tibias placed against patient’s knees to control lower limb movement during transfer.

No Man’s Land

Mid-transfer moment where reversing is unsafe; therapist decides to proceed or safely abort.

Transfer Completion

Securing patient after move—positioning, rails, seat belts, call light, footrests within reach.

Scooting to Edge of Chair

Patient or helper moves pelvis forward and trunk upright to prepare for standing transfer.

Wheelchair-to-Floor Transfer

Technique to lower from wheelchair to floor (or reverse) using controlled forward descent or alternate methods.

Turn-Around Transfer

Patient faces seat/bed while holding support, then turns and lowers; used for safety in tight spaces.

Safe Patient Handling

Ergonomic approach prioritizing mechanical lifts and low-friction devices to reduce caregiver injury during transfers.