Transfer Assists, Sliding Board Transfer, Transfer Belt, Gait Belt

What are Transfer Assists?

Commonly known as patient transfer devices or patient lift equipment, transfer assists include a range of assistive products specifically designed to help people with mobility disabilities to move from one place to another, or to reposition within a bed or wheelchair. The most popular transfer assists include belts, boards, sliding sheets/pads and pivoting discs.

Choosing the most appropriate design type depends on accurate patient assessment, as not all transfer device types are intended for every person or situation. Transfer goals should include safety for both the patient and caregiver, along with ease of use. The best transfer assist for unique concerns will generally allow patients to assist in their own movement as individual ability dictates, and require the least amount of effort on the part of the caregiver, in order to reduce risks of injury for both.

How do Transfer Assists Work?

People may have mobility challenges for a variety of reasons. Disabilities, aging issues, disease, health disorders, injuries, and recovery after surgery are the most common causes for requiring assistance with mobility. Transfer assists can help users to move more safely and easily to and from a bed, wheelchair, toilet, bathtub or vehicle, sometimes with only the assistance of the device itself. Other transfer assist devices are intended for usage along with a caregiver’s assistance, but make it a much simpler process for both the patient and the caregiver.

While there are many more patient transfer and lift devices and equipment available, this category focuses on transfer assist devices that include gait/transfer belts, transfer boards, sliding sheets/pads and pivoting discs.

Gait Belts
Also called transfer belts and walker belts, gait belts are best used for individuals who are able to stand up, walk, or sit down, but require assistance to do so. They are securely placed around the patient’s waist, and the caregiver holds on to that to assist the patient in getting up from a chair or bed. The caregiver holds onto the gait belt while the patient walks, and also when the patient sits down again, providing the security and support the patient requires for safer ambulation and movement. Because of the excellent leverage they provide, gait belts help to prevent falls for the patients, and also help to assuage the risks of injury involved for the caregivers.
Gait belts are available in a wide variety of sizes, colors and configurations, and can be constructed with nylon, leather, canvas and other sturdy materials to ensure durability. Some gait belts are made with antimicrobial materials to reduce risks of spreading infection if more than one person will be using the belt. Several styles feature handles of various shapes, while others require a grip with the buckle. It is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider in order to choose the best gait belt for your own unique purposes.

Transfer Boards
Utilized by individuals with or without the assistance of a caregiver, transfer boards enable movement by sitting on the board and then sliding across to get from one place to another. Some patients have enough strength to make this maneuver using their arms, while other patients will require the help of a caregiver. Either way, transfer boards make moving or repositioning a much easier and safer process for everyone involved.

Available in a vast assortment of sizes, shapes and lengths, smaller transfer boards are well suited for shorter gaps of space or for changing positions in bed, while larger sizes are more appropriate for wider gaps of space, such as between a car seat and a wheelchair. Many designs feature contours or notches to make wheelchair transfers easier, and all of the transfer boards highlight smooth surfaces for more effortless gliding and sliding abilities. They may be constructed with specially coated woods, high-density plastics and other highly durable and polished materials. Some designs offer antimicrobial coatings to reduce the risk of spreading infection, which are preferred for transfer boards that will be used by more than one person.

Transfer Sheets and Pads
Perfect for lateral transfers, sliding transfer sheets and pads are also often used for repositioning and turning patients in bed. Typically designed as highly durable and thickened sheets, these transfer devices often look like regular bed sheets. However, they are reinforced for heavy lifting and transfer purposes, and are much safer and easier to use than bed sheets that can rip and tear during an attempted transfer. They also offer handles to make the transferring or repositioning tasks easier for caregivers.

Transfer sheets and pads make changing position, turning or transferring to another surface much more comfortable for patients as these devices do not stretch their bodies or limbs. They also help reduce the risk of caregiver injuries, because they do not require straining or lifting to move the patient. Sliding sheets make moving even the most immobile patient a breeze with their friction-free surfaces, and are available in a variety of sizes and styles to safely accommodate all patient weights and heights.

Transfer Pivoting Discs
As a helpful transfer assist that users can both stand or sit on, pivoting discs allow swiveling from one position to another. These are useful for patients who are strong enough to stand, but cannot pivot or turn to the side to complete the transfer. While standing transfers with a pivoting disc should be supervised by a caregiver, sitting and repositioning transfers may often be done independently by the patient. A caregiver can assist patients in placing their feet on the discs and provide support as they stand and swivel on it in order to transfer to a bed from a wheelchair, or any intended target surface.

Pivoting discs come in a range of styles and sizes, and are used in a variety of patient transfer applications. They generally include non-skid or non-slip treads and strips for added stability and security, and are constructed from highly durable materials for longer lasting wear and easier maintenance. Be sure to check the weight limits, as using a pivoting disc for a bariatric patient will be unsafe unless that particular model safely accommodates higher user weights.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

ck