Most of the patients have difficulty in movement after major surgery or treatment. Usually, medical caregivers help these patients with their regular movements. However, carrying the patient on their muscle strength has a significant risk for both patient and the caregiver. Therefore, they use gait belts to provide additional support and keep the patient safe while transferring them from one position to another. The belt plays a crucial role in patient handling programs. Here is how it helps caregivers.
#1 All Weight Lifting
Different patients have not only different weights but also different body structures. So deciding the upper limit weight that can be lifted by a particular caregiver isn’t possible. They may still end up hurting themselves while lifting an underweight patient. That is why using gait belts is crucial. It helps them support patients of all weights and sizes without putting much pressure on their muscles.
#2 Less Risk With Patients
Caregivers want to provide the best service to their patients. However, they sometimes fail to do so due to some accidents. If they try to lift the patient or move them without any equipment, the grip sometimes loosens, and the patient falls. This can lead to severe problems.
To avoid this, a patient transfer belt with handles must be used. They provide enough grip on the handles so that the caregiver doesn’t let the patient fall. Even during walking, the patient doesn’t lose balance because the caregiver supports them through the belt.
#3 Better Support For The Helper
Professionals from patient handling programs are employed to teach lifting or moving the patient appropriately, so they don’t hurt themselves. But these techniques aren’t as efficient as they seem. It is often seen that the helping person hurts their back while providing support to the patient.
These injuries can be easily avoided using a gait belt. These get designed so that the caregiver doesn’t put much stress on their back while lifting the patient. They can hold the belt and lift them easily. However, they should still remember to use their leg muscles instead of their back muscles while using the belt. Else they may hurt themselves.
#4 No Gender Restriction
While lifting the patient or transferring them from one place to another, the caregiver requires holding them appropriately. In case the patient and the caregiver are of different genders, this may create discomfort for either of them. When both of them aren’t comfortable with each other, the helper can’t assist the patient properly.
But there is no such issue with a patient transfer belt with handles. The caregiver doesn’t need to hold the patient. So there is no gender restriction. They can comfortably grip the belt and lift them or move them.
Conclusion
The key role of a patient transfer belt with handles is to secure the patient and help the caregiver lift or move them appropriately. This eliminates the chances of any severe injuries or discomfort for both the patient and the caregiver.
