Benefits Of Using Gait Belt On The Patients For Transferring

Hospitals, physiotherapy clinics, and nursing homes when a patient with an injury needs to be transferred from one place to another gait belt are used to provide safety and mobility. For a medical center to use a gait belt, a patient must be partially ambulatory. The primary purpose of the gait belt is to aid in lifting, to walk, and to transfer patients who have mobility issues. It means that the patient must be able to handle their weight to a short extent. Gait belts are used in multiple scenarios including-

• Transfer assistance
• Walking assistance
• Prevent accidents

Benefits of using transfer gait belt for patients

Following are some of the advantages that prompt doctors or caregivers to use transfer belt for patients –

1. It significantly reduced the injury risks

When a patient is unwell or physically unstable, the probabilities of slipping and falling are higher. Senior patients who are weak or frail get necessary support with gait belt that the requiring during moving without worrying about the risks of getting injured. Additionally, a caregiver can also use the handles of these belts to ensure there is maximum stability.

2. It Makes the Job of Caregiver Easier

When using gait belts for transferring patients, that strain on the caregiver is reduced significantly. Rather than focusing on the lifting part, they are able to focus the comfort of the patient and make sure they are transferred with the utmost care and safety. Besides, the strain put on the caregiver can also cause him or her injury and gait belt allow to mitigate that risk as well.

3. It Provides an Ideal Balance

A gait belt is put around the midsection of the patient and can stabilize patients temporarily who are weak or dealing with postural problems. The stability provided by this belt reduces the pressure on the backbone, and patients can get the necessary support while walking.

4. It Renders Flexibility

Gait belt can be vertical or horizontal; therefore, can offer a wide range of the function. Moreover, gait belts can be used for short as well as a long-distance transfer between the bed to the bathroom or transferring from one hospital to another one. Transfer belts that come with handles can be a great solution for patients when they want to move from one place to another.

To properly use gait belts, the nursing staff or the caregiver must comfortably clasp the belt around the mid-section of the abdomen of the patient. Once that is done, the caregiver gently and sturdily lifts the patient with their limb muscles. Using gait properly can prevent injuries to both patients as well as caregivers. In fact, medical centers invest in proper training to use gait belts so that they can reduce any accidents cases. With proper training and knowledge, using a gait belt can become quite easy. There are various gait belts available in the market that features different materials, designs, and support. Depending on your requirements, you can choose the one that best aligns with your needs.

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Maria Brown Joined: April 1st, 2020