MISAMIS UNIVERSITY

Ozamiz City 7200, Philippines

Tel No. +63 88 521-0367 / Telefax No. +63 88 521-2917
E-mail Address: mu@mu.edu.ph
CERTIFIED: ISO 9001:2015 Risk Management System– DNVGL, Australia Pty Ltd.
ACCREDITED: Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA)

Performance Checklist on Safe Patient Transfers

(Moving a Patient from Bed to Stretcher & Moving a Patient from Bed to Wheelchair)

Name of Student: _________________________ Date: ___________________

MOVING A PATIENT FROM BED TO STRETCHER PROCEDURE

Able to Able to Unable to

Perform Perform with Perform
Procedure Competently Supervision (0 Point)
(2 Points) (1 Point)
Consider safety considerations:
• Perform hand hygiene.
• Check room for additional precautions.

Consider other safety considerations:

• Introduce yourself to patient.
• Confirm patient ID using two patient identifiers (e.g., name
and date of birth).

Consider other safety considerations:

• Listen and attend to patient cues.
• Ensure patient’s privacy and dignity.
• Assess ABCCS/suction/oxygen/safety.
Ensure tubes and attachments are properly placed prior to the
procedure to prevent accidental removal.

Discuss equipment and tools needed:

In moving a patient from bed to stretcher,
• A slider board and full-size sheet or friction-reducing sheet
is required for the transfer
1. Always predetermine the number of staff required to safely
transfer a patient horizontally.

2. Explain what will happen and how the patient can help (tuck
chin in, keep hands on chest). Collect supplies.

3. Raise bed to safe working height. Lower head of bed and side
rails. Position the patient closest to the side of the bed where the
stretcher will be placed.

4. Roll patient over and place slider board halfway under the
patient, forming a bridge between the bed and the stretcher.
Place sheet on top of the slider board. The sheet is used to slide
patient over to the stretcher.
The patient is returned to the supine position.
Patient’s feet are positioned on the slider board.
 Able to Able to Unable to
Procedure Perform Perform with Perform
Competently Supervision (0 Point)
(2 Points) (1 Point)
5. Position stretcher beside the bed on the side closest to the
patient, with stretcher slightly lower. Apply brakes.
Two health care providers climb onto the stretcher and grasp the
sheet. The lead person is at the head of the bed and will grasp
the pillow and sheet. The other health care provider is
positioned on the far side of the bed, between the chest and hips
of the patient, and will grasp the sheet with palms facing up.
The two caregivers on the stretcher grasp the draw sheet using a
palm up technique, sitting up tall, and keeping their elbows
close to their body and backs straight.

6. The caregiver on the other side of the bed places his or her
hands under the patient’s hip and shoulder area with forearms
resting on bed.

7. The designated leader will count 1, 2, 3, and start the move.

The person on the far side of the bed will push patient just to
arm’s length using a back-to-front weight shift.
At the same time, the two caregivers on the stretcher will move
from a sitting-up-tall position to sitting on their heels,
shifting their weight from the front leg to the back, bringing
the patient with them using the sheet.

8. The two caregivers will climb off the stretcher and stand at the
side and grasp the sheet, keeping elbows tucked in.
One of the two caregivers should be in line with the patient’s
shoulders and the other should be at the hip area.
On the count of three, with back straight and knees bent, the
two caregivers use a front-to-back weight shift and slide the
patient into the middle of the bed.

9. At the same time, the caregiver on the other side slides the
slider board out from under the patient.

10. Replace pillow under head, ensure patient is comfortable, and

cover the patient with sheets.

11. Lower bed and lock brakes, raise side rails as required, and
ensure call bell is within reach.

MOVING A PATIENT FROM BED TO WHEELCHAIR TRANSFER PROCEDURE

Discuss equipment and tools needed:
In moving a patient from bed to wheelchair,
• A gait belt and wheelchair are required.
1. One health care provider is required.

2. Perform hand hygiene. Explain what will happen during the

transfer and how the patient can help.
Apply proper footwear prior to ambulation
3. Lower the bed and ensure that brakes are applied.
Place the wheelchair next to the bed at a 45-degree angle and
apply brakes. If a patient has weakness on one side, place the
wheelchair on the strong side.
 Able to Able to Unable to
Procedure Perform Perform with Perform
Competently Supervision (0 Point)
(2 Points) (1 Point)
4. Sit patient on the side of the bed with his or her feet on the
floor. Apply the gait belt snugly around the waist (if required).
Place hands on waist to assist into a standing position

5. As the patient leans forward, grasp the gait belt (if required) on
the side the patient, with your arms outside the patient’s arms.
Position your legs on the outside of the patient’s legs. The
patient’s feet should be flat on the floor.

6. Count to three and, using a rocking motion, help the patient

stand by shifting weight from the front foot to the back foot,
keeping elbows in and back straight.

7. Once standing, have the patient take a few steps back until they
can feel the wheelchair on the back of their legs. Have patient
grasp the arm of the wheelchair and lean forward slightly.

8. As the patient sits down, shift your weight from back to front
with bent knees, with trunk straight and elbows slightly bent.
Allow patient to sit in wheelchair slowly, using armrests for
support.

State the special considerations:

• Do not allow patients to place their arms around your
neck. Have them place their arms around your hips.
• Avoid lifting patients. Let them stand using their own
strength.
• Stay close to your patient during the transfer to keep the
patient’s weight close to your center of gravity
• If the patient has weakness on one side of the body (e.g.,
due to a cerebral vascular accident or stroke), place the
wheelchair on the strong side.

Total Score:
Highest Possible Score: 50 Points

Remarks: ________________________________________________________________

_______________________ __________________________________
Signature of Student Name & Signature of Clinical Instructor

References:
Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P., & Hall, A. (2016). Fundamentals of nursing (9th ed.). Mosby.
BCcampus Open Publishing. Clinical Procedures for Safer Patient Care. Accessed at https://opentextbc.ca/clinicalskills/chapter/3-7-transfers-and-
ambulation/ on February 9, 2022.