Manual Wheelchairs

Use of manual wheelchair Put brakes on when not moving.

If service user is stable take off sides to chair before moving or putting sling in

place.

Foot plates can be removed for better access to foot area.

Fold up when not being used, will take up less space.

Maintenance and safety checks. (provision and use of work equipment regs)

Going up and down steps It is relatively easy to cause discomfort to the wheelchair user or to tip them

out of their wheelchair.

It is safest to go up kerbs forward and down steps backwards.

The rear wheels should never lose contact with the ground and the

wheelchair should never be balanced solely on the front castors.

You should always place yourself on the downhill side of the wheelchair when

going up and down a single step.

Moving in and out of a wheelchair When moving out of a wheelchair, do not rely on the wheelchair brakes to

keep the wheelchair steady.

Block the chair if possible so that it will not move or tip.

If you are not assisting keep a firm grip on the handles of the wheelchair.

Remember the sides of most wheelchairs do come off which can aid moving

out of chair i.e. sliding across or use of additional equipment.

Bags on wheelchairs Bags or holdalls are often hung on the back of wheelchairs, which can

change the centre of gravity and make it less stable.

Parking a wheelchair Always leave a wheelchair with the castors in the swept forward position

rather than the swept back position. This gives maximum stability because it

lengthens the wheelbase of the wheelchair.

1. Boom

2. Protective padding

3. Spreader bar

4. Hydraulic unit

5. Lifting Handle

6. Mast

7. Leg width control handle

8. Twin wheeled front castor

9. Twin wheeled brake

10. Twin wheeled rear castor

11. Steering handle

Handling Belts This fabric or cushioned belt is worn by the Service User, and are designed

to give the handler a safe and firmer handgrip.

Handling belts are not a lifting device but are merely supportive. They do not

reduce a person’s weight, but can help with certain handling techniques, for

example: assisting to stand, walk or transfer.

They should not be used if the service user:

Is pregnant

Has a colostomy, or any other abdominal appliances.

Has a hernia.

Has had abdominal surgery within the last six months.

If directed by medical staff.

DO: Check the belt is threaded correctly prior to use.

Ensure the catch mechanism is securely fastened.

Ensure the belt is correctly fitted around the person’s waist and is

secure and comfortable (you should be able to fit no more than two

fingers between belt and person, this will avoid the belt slipping up

during use).

Use a full handgrip, ensure your thumbs are not caught up.

DO NOT: Use the person’s own trouser belt or clothing, either of these may fail,

causing injury to the handler or to the person.

Use if the person cannot reliably weight bear.

Cleaning the belt: Clean according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Hand blocks Hand blocks help people to lift their own bottoms clear when moving in bed or

using a sideways transfer.

Generally they are used in pairs to help the person achieve an independent

move and are often used with a slide sheet positioned under bottom or feet to

ease movement up the bed.

They are NOT likely to be helpful for a person with weak wrist, arms or

shoulders.

Transfer boards Transfer boards, also known as bridging boards come in a variety of styles

and shapes. The Occupational Therapist will be able to advise on which type

is most suitable for individual service users.

They are used to “bridge a gap” to enable a person to slide between two

surfaces, for example, a bed and wheelchair.

They can be used independently, or with the assistance of the handler.

DO: Ensure both ends of the board are positioned securely and are

supported prior to commencing the transfer.

Ensure the heights between the two surfaces are as level as possible,

remember – sliding uphill is difficult!

Check the transfer board EACH TIME it is used for signs of wear and

tear.

Beware of catching the person’s thumbs or fingers between the board

and the transfer surface.

Beware the person’s skin does not get dragged or caught on the

surface of the board during the transfer.

Be aware that people with painful wrists or hands may have difficulty

using the board.

DO NOT:

Use a transfer board with people who have unreliable sitting

balance.

Place any towel / scarf etc. on the board to assist the slide. This is

UNSAFE and is NOT recommended.

Exceed the safe working load of the board, for example: weight limit

of most boards is around 127Kg (20 stone) providing the board is

supported for 4” at each end. You MUST check this for each type of

board.

With a person who is unable assist with the transfer.

Mangar ELK A Mangar ELK is a mechanical lifting device, consisting of four inflatable air

cushions designed to assist an uninjured fallen person, of up to 450Kg (70

stone), from the floor to an elevated position, where they can either transfer to

a chair or to be helped to a standing position. It is to be used after a suitable

risk assessment to ensure the suitability of the service user and the number

of carers required.

NOTE 1. This equipment must only be used by persons trained and practised

in its use.

2. To maintain stability, persons being lifted must have the assistance

of one or more competent assistants.

3. Whilst in use, never allow a compartment to become partially

deflated whilst any above it are inflated. Compartments must always

be fully inflated from the bottom up, in sequence, in order to maintain

stability.

Turntables are also referred to as “turning discs” and “turning plates”.

Turntable They are manufactured in either hard materials or soft fabric, the soft fabric

designs are increasingly popular because they can be used in a greater

variety of situations. Increasingly turning frames are used for standing

transfers, but they must be used as directed by a therapist. Turntables are

used to turn a person through 90 degrees, and may be used in the following

situations:

To turn a person during an assisted standing transfer, to avoid the

feet becoming crossed or tangled.

On a car seat.

To aid independent transfers, where the person has sufficient

upper limb strength and co-ordination.

To get into or out of bed. NOTE The person must be carefully assessed prior to use of a turntable because:

Using the turntable requires the person’s feet to be positioned close

together, this may result in the person becoming unstable whilst

standing.

The person may become disorientated whilst turning.

Turntables with built in roller bearings tend to be harder to control,

resulting in a rapid or un-controlled turn which can frighten the person.

DO: Ensure the person’s weight is placed centrally on the turntable.

Whenever possible use a handling belt for assisted transfers.

Position the turntable BEFORE starting the transfer.

Ensure the turntable is the correct way up prior to commencing the turn.

Avoid twisting when using the turntable. Carers should walk

round to facilitate the turn.

Avoid twisting the spine of the person being assisted.

DO NOT:

Use on a person who exceed the safe working weight of the piece of

equipment. (User weight limit is 159kgs. -25 st- but it is difficult to

manoeuvre persons weighing more than 85kgs –13 st).

Use on a person who has POOR STANDING BALANCE.

Used if damaged or faulty.

Cleaning: Clean the turntable according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Sliding sheets Sliding sheets, low friction rollers, or one way glides are fabric sheets

designed to move people without causing the handler’s to continue lifting. The

material has been developed to provide a friction free surface. This allows a

slide to be created when two sheets of similar material come together.

There are three main types if slide sheet design:

Flat sheet, that can be folded on itself, or used in pairs, for example

Arjo Maxislide.

Continuous loop rollers, or sleeping bag design, for example: Phil-e-

Slide systems, Grimstead Multiglide. this is the most common design.

One way glides are designed to assist movement in chairs or beds that

only require movement one way. i.e to maintain seating posture. These

can stay in position .

Some styles of sliding device have handles to facilitate the slide, others do

not. Handles should NEVER be used to attempt to lift people, the products

are not intended for this use and will be unsafe if used in this way.

Slide sheets can be used to move people in a variety of ways.

To assist:

Movement in and out of bed.

Movement up and down in bed.

Turning and repositioning in bed.

Movement in a confined space.

Repositioning in a chair.

Use of sliding devices may enable people to move independently, with or

without supervision, or may require the carer(s) to help with the move.

If using slidesheet on an alternating pressure mattresses, make sure mattress

is set to a static mode.

DO : Ensure the sheets are safely stored during and after use, to prevent

slip, trip and fall injuries.

Remove the sheet from underneath the person immediately after use,

they are NOT designed to be left in place.

Check the sheet for signs of wear and tear before EACH use.

Ensure you know how to use the slide sheet before attempting to use it

– they are very slippery and accidents can easily happen if not used

correctly.

Ensure the slide sheets are correctly cleansed between use on different

people.

Ensure when using one way glides that the arrows are pointing in the

direction of movement.

DO NOT: Use a slide sheet for more than one person to prevent the risk of cross

infection.

Use home made or improvised alternatives.

Leave a slide sheet on the floor under any circumstances.

Attempt to use a slide sheet to lift someone.

One way glides can not be used with pressure relieving cushions.