CH. 13 Biomechanics & Ergonomics

Biomechanics

A component of physics, the law of Newtonian mechanics, applied to living bodies at rest and in motion

Base of Support

Foundation on which a body rests or stands. The area between feet in standing position

Center of Gravity

A hypothetical area of the body where the mass of the body is concentrated; the gravity works from this area.

Mobility Muscles

Muscles found in the 4 extremities (arms and legs)

Stability Muscles

Muscles that support the torso and are designed to provide posture stability

Orthostatic Hypotension

A sudden drop in blood pressure in the brain when a person stands up quickly from sitting or supine position, causing the oxygen in the brain to drop and the person to become dizzy and prone to falling.

Signs/Symptoms of Orthostatic Hypotension

• Dizzy

• Fainting

• Blurred Vision

• Slurred Speech

Proper Lifting

• Bending & Straightening the knees

• Back Straight

• Inform Patient

• Patient’s w/ AMS may overestimate abilites

Standby Assist

• Transfer from wheelchair to table on their own

• Provide movement instructions to patient

Assisted Standing Pivot

Wheelchair to table

1. Use transfer belt to hold patient. If No Belt: Put your arm under theirs’ and hold the back of their pants.

2. Patient sits at the end of the wheelchair

3. Patient pushes down on wheelchair arms and bends knees to stand up

4. Patient pivots towards chair

5. Then holds onto the table and sits down

Two-Person Lift

1. 1st Person asks patient to cross their arms over chest

2. Person making transfer stands behind patient and reaches under patient’s armpit and grasp onto their forearm

3. 2nd person squats and grabs patient’s thigh with one hand and calves with the other

4. At the 1st persons’ go: the patient is lifted and moved to desired place

Hydraulic Lift

Used when patient is too heavy to lift

• If patient is transferred without lift (transfer) sling, call the nursing floor and return patient back to floor

Call Transfer with Slider Board

1. Roll patient away from table

2. Position board under patient and draw sheet

3. Roll patient back and ensure they’re on the board

4. Gently pull draw sheet and patient onto the table

Cart Transfer with Draw Sheet

1. Roll up draw sheet on both sides of the patient

2. Patient crosses arms over chest

3. Assistant pushes patient to the table while you pull in your direction

When moving a patient to or from a stretcher

lock the stretcher securely against examination table

Supine vs Prone

Supine - face up

Prone - face down

Lateral vs Sims

Lateral - lying on left or right side

Sims - lying on left side with leg flexed up to chest

Fowlers

Lying on back with the head of the bed elevated

Recumbent

Lying down horizontally