Which practice supports safety during patient transfers?

• A. Move the patient quickly without planning.
• B. Ask the patient to do the transfer themselves.
• C. Use appropriate assistance and equipment.
• D. Ignore the patient’s tolerance.

Answer: (C)

Safe transfers come from planning and using the right help and tools. When a transfer is done with appropriate assistance and equipment, you have stable support, reduce the risk of a fall or injury, and protect both the patient and the staff. This means assessing the patient’s mobility and tolerance, gathering aids like a gait belt, slide sheet, transfer board, or a mechanical lift, arranging help from a second caregiver if needed, and communicating the steps to the patient. Positioning the bed and chair correctly, locking wheels, and ensuring a clear path are part of the plan, as is using proper body mechanics—keeping the patient close, bending at the knees and hips, and avoiding twisting.

In contrast, moving the patient quickly without planning can lead to slips or loss of control. Asking the patient to transfer themselves places the burden on them and raises safety risks if they can’t manage it. Ignoring the patient’s tolerance can push them beyond what they can safely handle, risking fatigue, dizziness, or injury.