Transfer From Bed to Chair With a Gait Belt
Key Points
- Transfer begins with safety setup: locked bed, prepared wheelchair, and nonskid footwear.
- Resident should dangle at bedside briefly and be assessed for dizziness before standing.
- Controlled stand-pivot with gait-belt support reduces fall and skin-injury risk.
Equipment
- Gait belt
- Wheelchair or chair
- Nonskid footwear
- Hand hygiene supplies
Procedure Steps
- Perform routine pre-procedure actions: knock, identify resident, explain procedure, provide privacy, and perform hand hygiene.
- Verify bed brakes are locked.
- Prepare wheelchair: remove foot pedals as needed, position at bed side with strongest resident side oriented toward chair, and lock wheelchair brakes.
- Assist resident to seated bed-edge position and allow feet to dangle briefly.
- Assess for dizziness/light-headedness before proceeding.
- Ensure resident is wearing nonskid footwear.
- Apply gait belt securely.
- Stand facing resident with stable stance and feet positioned to prevent slipping.
- Instruct resident to push from bed and stand on count of three.
- Grasp gait belt with both hands (palms/fingertips up), assist to stand, and pivot toward chair.
- When resident feels chair against legs, cue them to reach chair armrests and lower into seat with control.
- Remove gait belt gently, release wheelchair brakes when safe to move, and complete post-procedure comfort/safety checks.
- Perform hand hygiene and document/report skin changes, pain with movement, or other abnormalities.
Common Errors
- Skipping dangle/dizziness check → increases orthostatic fall risk.
- Unlocked bed or wheelchair brakes → creates unstable transfer surfaces.
- Pulling on resident arms instead of gait belt → increased joint and skin injury risk.
- Pivoting before resident balance is established → loss of control and fall hazard.
Related
- assisting-clients-to-transfer - Transfer status and method selection guide this procedure.
- body-mechanics-and-safe-equipment-use - Proper stance and weight shift reduce caregiver injury.