Final answer:
To keep a weight-bearing patient safe during transfer from a wheelchair to the toilet, a Patient Care Technician should hold any tubes or bottles at an angle, use aseptic techniques, and employ proper transfer techniques to minimize contamination risks and prevent falls or injuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patient care technician (PCT) should take multiple steps to ensure the patient's safety during transfer from a wheelchair to the toilet. First, it is important to check any tubes or bottles that might be attached to the patient to ensure that they are not disrupted during the transfer. These should be held at an angle to minimize the risk of airborne contaminants entering the opening. To further ensure sterility, passing the opening of a tube or bottle briefly through a flame before and after the transfer process can discourage airborne contaminants from entering.
Aside from managing the equipment, the PCT should employ proper transfer techniques which include explaining the procedure to the patient, ensuring the wheelchair is locked and stable, using a gait belt if necessary, and helping the patient to stand and pivot towards the toilet safely. It is critical that both the PCT and the patient wear non-slip footwear to prevent falls. The PCT should maintain a proper lifting technique to avoid back injuries, bending the knees and keeping the back straight, and should never lift a patient without assistance if they are not able to bear their own weight or if the PCT is not capable of the lift.