Final answer:
Nurses should follow ergonomic principles like assessing patient mobility, using safe lifting techniques, keeping surfaces at equal heights, using a transfer belt, encouraging patient participation, and having additional staff help to prevent injury when transferring patients from a bed to a stretcher.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse is assisting a client from a bed to a stretcher, it is critical to adhere to key ergonomic principles to prevent injury to both the patient and the healthcare provider. Several important ergonomic guidelines include:
Assessing the patient's mobility level and cognitive status to determine the amount of assistance needed.
Using safe lifting techniques, such as bending at the hips and knees, keeping the back straight, and lifting with the legs rather than the back.
Ensuring that the bed and stretcher are at an equal height to prevent unnecessary lifting or straining.
Applying a transfer/gait belt around the patient's waist if necessary, to provide a secure grip for transferring the patient safely.
Encouraging the patient to help with the transfer as much as possible, this includes holding onto the nurse or stretcher rails.
Having additional staff members assist with the transfer if the patient is unable to support their own weight or if they require extensive assistance.
By following these principles, nurses can reduce the risk of muscle strain, back injury, and patient falls during the transfer process.