(2) If the patient cannot help himself, he must be lifted onto the litter. A
team of at least three people is required to transfer an adult patient from the bed to the
litter. They should proceed as follows:
(a) Release the safety straps, cover the patient with the cover sheet,
and remove the bed clothing as in (1)(a) and (b) above.
(b) Place the litter at a right angle to the bed, with the head of the litter
at the foot of the bed. Unfold the fan folded-litter sheet.
(c)
Lock the litter wheels. Make sure that the bed wheels are also
locked.
(d) Team member number one. Slide one hand under the patient's
head and to his opposite shoulder so that the patient's head rests in the bend of the
elbow. Place the other hand under the patient's shoulders and his opposite arms (see
figure 3-5A).
Figure 3-5A. Team member number one positioning patient
for three-man carry, bed to wheeled litter.
(e) Team member No. 2: Place both hands, palm up, under the
patient's hips. (See figure 3-5B).
MD0923
3-14