A slide sheet is made of nylon sailcloth, which slides on itself, thus reducing the

Tubular slide sheet, ladder, pair of flat slide sheets in a bag.

friction between the patient and the surface. Slide sheets are used to reduce the effort required to move a patient, for example: up in bed, from side to side, from bed to chair, or into the car, etc.

There are two main kinds of slide sheets: tubular ones, or flat slide sheets with or without handles, usually used in pairs. Slide sheets come in several different sizes, from small ones, to full-body-length ones, to extra large.

In the workshop at the CSNN Conference I demonstrated the basic use of the tubular slide sheet. The large one for moving a person up in bed, or from side to side, and the little one for moving a patient from bed to chair.

Preparing to move Donovan Bernauer up in bed with a sliding sheet.

I showed how easy it is to, unassisted, move a large patient up in bed, (or from side to side) if basic principles are understood and applied properly. 

I also demonstrated how to use the small slide sheet to move a patient from bed to chair. These can also be very useful when assisting a patient into a car.

Some of the basic principles are:

• Always have two layers of slide sheet (either a tubular one, a folded one, or two separate sheets)
• Hold top layer only. Keep hands in contact with the bottom layer to avoid separation of sheets which will reduce the effectiveness.
• Encourage the patient to assist in the transfer as much as possible (patient must have foot, hands, etc. off the slide sheet IF they are assisting with pushing)
• Do not lift the patient being moved - SLIDE

  Kerry Reed being moved by Wendy Abdollahi

   
• Move slowly
• The power of the transfer comes from using your legs and bodyweight
• Hold and pull onthe bottom layer when removing slide sheet from under the patient
• When using a slide sheet to get a patient into a car, always remove the slide sheet from the seat of car once transfer is complete.
• When not in use, hang or fold and store in safe place (never drop it onto the floor)
• Wash slide sheet by hand or in washing machine. Use warm water and detergent
• Drip dry (do not put in dryer)

As with everything else in life, it takes practice to be able to use slide sheets efficiently and safely.

For more information go to "Nursing Video Demos" at: videodemos.sharethepractice.org

If you would like to acquire slide sheets you can oder them straight from Cromptons in the UK, by going to their web side: www.cromptons.co.uk/products/patientaids/overview.php

or contact me at: wendy_abdollahi@mac.com

Happy Christian Science nursing with slide sheets!

www.csnnetwork.org