(g) On signal, draw the patient to the edge of the bed, tilt him slightly
toward the team members' chests, and lift him from the bed (see figure 3-5B).
(h) On signal, turn so that the patient's head is toward the head end of
the litter, advance to the litter, and carefully place the patient on the litter (see
figure 3-5C).
(i) Cover the patient additionally if necessary and tuck the covers in as
described above.
(j)
Fasten the safety straps as described in (1)(f) above (see
figure 3-4).
(k)
Raise and lock side rails.
(3) Whenever the patient is connected to some kind of apparatus, the
specialist should carry out additional safety measures as follows:
(a) If the patient has an IV running, the bottle should be suspended on
a litter standard. The litter standard has a plate that, when slipped under the litter
mattress will hold the standard upright and support the IV supply bottle. This should be
placed near the middle of the litter (never at the head). Thus, if it should fall, it is less
likely to injure the patient. The team members lifting a patient with an infusion running
should exercise care so as not to disturb the setup. Protection is afforded by splinting
the patient's arm. A fourth person may be required to hold the infusion bottle while the
patient is being transferred to the litter. If a fourth person is not available, the IV tubing
must be clamped off and the bottle hung over the finger or the arm of one of the three
people lifting the patient. The bottle is then hung on the standard and the clamp
opened. If no litter standard is available, another person must accompany the
specialist and the patient to the OR to hold the IV bottle at the same height above the
patient as it was in the patient's unit.
(b) The management of drainage equipment will vary with its type and
function. If the patient has a urethral catheter connected to a tube leading into a
drainage bag, the specialist should clamp the tube. Similar technique is to be used with
suction tubing. Drainage will be restarted in the OR if the surgeon desires.
(c) If there is chest drainage, the tubing should be double-clamped on
the nursing unit. An assistant should carry the drainage bottles at a level below the
height of the patient's chest.
f. Wheeling the Patient. One specialist can safely wheel the patient on a litter
if the route to the OR is smooth and does not include steeply inclined ramps and if the
patient has no special apparatus attached which requires the attention of an additional
person. The specialist is to push the litter ahead of him, guiding it from the
MD0923
3-16