4 Common Mistakes in Patient Transfer Stretchers

Mishandlings of patients during transfer are very common, in some cases, this negligence results in secondary injury to the patient. This blog will highlight the four common mistakes made during a patient’s transfer and propose solutions on how these mistakes can be corrected and improved. Before digging into the common errors, it is important to understand that a healthcare professional can only perform their duty well if they have gone through a training session on handling patients and transporting them to the healthcare facility with care and concern. Because most of the issues during the patient’s transport arise from the emergency responder’s negligence, therefore it should not be denied.

1. Dealing Patients according to the degree and type of injury

This is one of the common mistakes emergency responders commit during rescue operations. It is important to understand each patient should be catered to differently depending on the type of injury. No thumb rule can be applied to every patient; it is important to closely monitor the situation and injury of the patient before helping them. For example, if there is a patient who has suffered a major spinal injury, then choosing the right type of stretcher is essential to ensure the patient’s stability, alignment, and sufficient head and back support.

2. Securing the Patient on a stretcher with a seat belt

Once the patient has been transferred to the stretcher, it is the responsibility of the emergency responders to secure them through a reliable seat belt or introduce a secure strapping system. Leaving the patient unattended on a stretcher can cause further injury during transportation therefore, it is essential to provide them the necessary safety to ensure their comfort and reduce the risk of any further injury.

3. Head Alignment while going up or down the stairs

If a patient has to be taken up or down the staircase, then introducing a stair chair stretcher is mandatory. Also, when the relocation of the patient is taking place, the head position of the patient should be high. Providing sufficient head and back support to the patient during transfer is crucial and should not be ignored at any cost because the misalignment of the head and back might result in some serious health issues.

4. Maintaining Patient stability during the transfer

Another common mistake made during patient transfer is improper positioning of the patient’s body. When a patient has gone through an injury, some body parts require special attention, such as the head, back, buttocks, and heels. Maintaining the stability of these body parts and providing sufficient support through the head and backrest is essential. The improper positioning of the patient’s body might hinder the stability and could be a reason for secondary injury therefore, it should be dealt with extra care and attention.

These are some of the common mistakes made during a patient’s transfer, and by improving them, healthcare professionals can work more efficiently in safely transferring patients by ensuring their comfort and safety. For further information, healthcare professionals should go through patient care transfer technique sessions to perform their job well. Apart from the mistakes discussed above, healthcare professionals should maintain their hygiene and ensure the patient’s privacy.