when to use a transfer belt?

i have worked in assisted living where transfer belts were rarely used by anyone. Some of these residents had walkers and canes and people just lifted them by the arms. It doesn't work very well to use transfer belts in low sofas and beds I noticed. I work in home health now and care plans say transfer belt but these people walk pretty steady, stand by assist, and need assistance getting up from a sofa for example. Should I still be using the transfer belt when they get up or can I just give them my hand to help them stand up? How about when walking? It seems like it's not that helpful for me to use one and a waste of time putting the transfer belt on and off when their own family doesn't do that for them and they get up several times, sometimes on their own! But i don't want to get in trouble by not using one. Thoughts?! Last edit by esunada on Aug 22, '11
Transfer belts (Gait belts) are not used anymore. Its outdated and antiquated not to mention restrictive for the patient - legally could be trouble if not documented properly.When I was in CNA school it was as if it was a life or death item to have. I ended up spending alot of money on something that NOBODY ever uses. Don't waste your time, effeort, energy, or MONEY on something that you can accomplish with you own two hands and a walker or a cane.If you have an instructor, nurse, manager that is hell bent on you having one - Have them supply one for you and clearly explain and allow for documentation.

What do you mean they are not used anymore..? They are used all the time in rehab. Ideally, everyone is transferred using a gait belt. Unfortunately that is a reality in few facilities. I can't imagine why a gait belt would be restrictive. They are not supposed to be fastened tightly. They are there for you to have something to grab on to if the patient begins falling, so that you can ease them downward along your leg. Lifting people under their arms is not recommended as that can injure them, but it's how most of us transfer people. In some facilities, especially LTC and subacute rehab, you can be automatically disciplined if someone sees you transferring someone without a gait belt. They are kept in every single room, in those places.

I work part time as a transporter and I help move patients all day. I can tell you that over the last year I have not seen a single gait belt being used. I agree with the PP that canes, walkers and assist are the methods in use (or of course we slide bedridden patients onto a stretcher). My 1 1/2 cents.

Outdated and antiquated here. If it doesn't work for the pt, change the POC. As long as the 485 says transfer belt, use it.

This is a good question. It seems like one of those issues where "best practice" does not always align with the real world.In my clinicals, I could never find the gait belt when I needed it. I got along fine for several weeks, until the unit manager chewed me out for not using one with a large patient who was also a 2-assist (but mobile enough that I could assist her alone without hurting my back.)

Gait belts are not outdated and they are for everyone's safety. I am a NS and don't know how widely they are used in acute care, but in subacute/rehab everyone wears a gait belt and uses them all of the time if the pt is any type of fall risk (in rehab they all are!). Grabbing a pt under the arms is bad practice bc you can cause injuries and skin tears. When you use a gait belt properly with proper body mechanics, it greatly aids transferring.

Quote from systolyOutdated and antiquated here. If it doesn't work for the pt, change the POC. As long as the 485 says transfer belt, use it.

Quote from abbakingTransfer belts (Gait belts) are not used anymore. Its outdated and antiquated not to mention restrictive for the patient - legally could be trouble if not documented properly.When I was in CNA school it was as if it was a life or death item to have. I ended up spending alot of money on something that NOBODY ever uses. Don't waste your time, effeort, energy, or MONEY on something that you can accomplish with you own two hands and a walker or a cane.If you have an instructor, nurse, manager that is hell bent on you having one - Have them supply one for you and clearly explain and allow for documentation.

When I was a CNA in a nursing home, the facility provided a gait belt to every CNA and we were expected to have it at all times. We wore it around our waist until we needed it for a patient. They had plastic clips, not belt buckles, so they were easy to fasten and remove. However, we received little instruction on their use. I think some of the problems with gait belts comes when they are not used properly. A person should not be dragged up or yanked by the gait belt. It is there to assist the patient's own momentum and provide a place to hold to support the patient if they become unstable. They definately save the CNAs from straining so much during transfers and keep the patient from being hauled up under the arms, which is uncomfortable and can cause injury. They aren't outdated. OP, ask if your facility will provide a gait belt for you. Also ask if they will provide inservice education about how they should be used.

Quote from MN-NurseAside from the fact your facility should provide any necessary equipment, the above post is 100% false.

Quote from abbakingTransfer belts (Gait belts) are not used anymore.

In rehab, not using a gait belt and instead using a walker or making the patient a two-person assist for transfers could actually add time to their stay. And that ends up costing Medicare (or whatever insurance is involved) more money. A patient could be stand-by to contact guard assist if a gait belt was used versus a mod, max, or total assist when another staff member is brought in to help transfer.