Moving a patient in bed when you don't have a draw sheet

Many times a caregiver is faced with the problem of the person having scooted to far toward the foot of the bed, and pulling him back up is difficult because of the weight, the friction, and the poor body mechanics involved.

I have found that if the person can be rolled onto his side, a slick surface can be inserted which will make the sliding much easer. Use 2 garbage bags that are long enough to reach from the coccyx to the top of the shoulders. With the person sidelying, insert the bags lengthwise so that when he is rolled onto his back his weight is on the two bags. He can be raised toward the head of the bedby whatever technique you have been using, with much less effort as the bottom bag tends to stick to the bed sheet, and the top bag tends to stick to the person, leaving the two surfaces of the bags to slide easily.
Remember to take the bags out immediately after the lift as they could couse skin break down if left in contact.

Rich Allsop