Instructions

• Before the huddle, print a few copies of the point of care assessment for transfers to share with staff.
• During the huddle, review the point of care assessment for transfers as a group. Using the resource as a guide, complete a point of care assessment for the scenario.
• Download attached Infosheet.

After this huddle Staff should know how to:

• Determine if it is safe to transfer a person in care.
• Know what to do if it is not safe to transfer.

Guiding questions

• Is it safe to proceed with the transfer? Why or why not?
• What are some potential factors we haven’t thought of that could change our decision?
• What should we do if it is not safe to proceed with the transfer?

Scenario

Mr. W’s care plan says that he is usually very social and uses a walker to get around. It’s almost dinner time and you enter his room to help him to the dining room. He is resting in his bed with the curtains closed and lights off.

After greeting him, you ask what he did today, and he tells you that he had a physiotherapy session this morning.

When you get closer, you can see that he is still in his pyjamas and that his walker is at the foot of his bed.

Notes to the huddle leader

• A point of care assessment for transfers should be done before any transfer.
• Emphasize the importance of using the appropriate mobility aide / equipment to minimize the force you’re exerting on your body and using good body mechanics while doing a transfer to minimize risk of injury.
• Consider asking the group for a real-life scenario to use for practicing the point of care assessment for transfers.