\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Its webbing is 2 inches wide and is easy to clean with a disinfectant. The belt will assist them as they rise. Thread the belt through the teeth of the buckle and then put the belt through the loop to lock it. A gait belt is a simple but incredibly effective tool for helping patients move around and retain as The belt is also used to help hold someone up while he walks, if he is too weak to walk on his own. The AHRQ recommends gait belts only for patients with cognitive impairment , but we found value in their use among a broad sample of patients. 5. It aides people with any injuries, brittle joints, or old age. Trademark Information:All trademarks and or trade names mentioned or used are the property of their respective owners. Face the patient and grab both sides of the gait belt using an underhand grip. You can find leather belts as well. A patient needs to be at least partially capable of holding onto their own body weight. Camden Harrison LPN, BS dietetics. A high-quality gait belt will have a non-slip plastic buckle or metal buckle to prevent the patient from sliding or falling from hospital bed air mattressor while walking. These are especially useful in cases where patients are immobile or are facing major discomfort in movement. Allowing a patient to rest after ambulation helps prevent fatigue. Always angle the wheelchair, if necessary, and lock the brakes. or nurses working with patients who have limited mobility, a, Lab Coat Fashion: 5 Tips for Choosing a Feminine Lab Coat. To learn more about other fall prevention strategies, check out our article here. To use a gait belt to help someone transfer, be sure the belt is securely fastened around the persons waist. The map provides grip when standing or walking. Not all gait belts have metal buckles with teeth. With this belt around the waist of the patient, as a caretaker, you dont need to worry about any problems in the process of transferring the person. Association of Rehabilitation Nurses. The person's healthcare provider can help decide which gait belt to use. The patient may or may not use the side railseither is fine. , you can find a vast variety in various sizes, made of different materials, and with different features. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Every effort has been made to properly capitallize, punctuate, identify and attribute trademarks and tradenames to their respective owners, including the use of and TM (TM) wherever possible and practical. You should have a wide stance and stable base of support, and be Gait belts are one option for steadying patients and should never be substituted for lifting devices. Gait belts can help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries for nurses and nurse aides. Also, ensure that the patient is wearing clothes before you put it on. If hands-on assistance is needed, walk alongside the patient with one hand on the gait belt in front and the other on the belt in the back. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, patient falls occur at a rate of three to five per 1,000 bed-days, 700,000 to 1 million hospitalized patients fall each year, approximately 50% of the 1.6 million U.S. nursing home residents fall every year, and nearly 10% of Medicare skilled nursing facility residents experience a fall resulting in significant injury. This buying guide can help you narrow down on the best gait belt. After ensuring the belt is securely fastened, you should keep the patient as close to the caregiver as possible during the transfer. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. January 2019. psnet.ahrq.gov/primers/primer/40/Falls, Safe patient handling and mobility. If the patient is able to complete all of these interventions, they are ready to get up and moving. Several kinds of gait belts are available. Gait belts made of cotton avoid skin irritations and reduce patient discomfort. patient still has some mobility and is only partially dependent on the caregiver for support. There are many kinds of transfer sling and gait belts available, ranging from their design to the material used from cotton, canvas and leather to nylon. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. up. Made with a generous 4 inches of width for comfort, the Multi-Handled Gait Belt features four vertical and two horizontal handles. A gait belt is not appropriate for every patient situation, but it can be a good choice if the For a list of supported browsers visit: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/final_nh_guidelines.pdf, DO NOT SELL OR SHARE MY PERSONAL INFORMATION. From gait belt for elderly patients to gait belts with handles, you can find a vast variety in various sizes, made of different materials, and with different features. If there are any wires or tubes in the way, carefully feed the belt underneath them, so the belt is between the tube/wire and the patient's clothing. The belt should be snug enough to help guide motions, but not too tight where it constricts breathing or causes pain while in use. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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