Practice guidelines for handling a wheelchair

The following guidelines are:

to ensure the safety of residents, staff and other users whilst handling a wheelchair
in relation to manual wheelchairs (for further information concerning powered wheelchairs please contact the Nightingale Occupational Therapy Department NOTD)
relevant for in/outdoor use of a wheelchair (for further information regarding in/out of cars and minibus please contact NOTD)
written for use at Nightingale and may not be suitable for other settings

Before getting a resident into a wheelchair:

Tell the resident what you are going to do
Open the wheelchair (w/c) so the seat is flat
Check the tyres are adequately inflated
Flick the heel loops back and lift footplates up
Swing the leg rests to the side
Position the w/c where most accessible. This may be at 90 degrees, opposite, or along side the resident. Alternately if a hoist is used position w/c where most convenient for access
Put both brakes on

Positioning and Transfers:

Tell the resident what you are going to do
Ensure seat cushion and back and side supports (if applicable) are the right way round and positioned correctly
Use applicable transfer method and ensure the resident is seated fully back into the w/c
Ensure any further supports are in the correct position
Re-arrange clothing if necessary
Check their arms are positioned on or within the armrests

Setting off:

Tell the resident what you are going to do
Apply the lap strap if you are going outside or if there is a risk of falling/sliding with a particular resident
Position feet on footplates
Release brakes (always reapply when stationary)
Proceed to push with care and consideration for the resident, others and the environment. Ensure smooth, gentle handling of w/c bearing in mind the sense of vulnerability some people may feel, particularly on ramps and around corners
When going up and down the ramp, keep the w/c as near to you as possible, keep your back straight and your elbows bent. Feel the weight through your arms and legs not your back
When going outside, keep to the middle of a path to avoid edges
When going up a kerb, put your foot on the lever bar at the base of the frame to tilt the w/c back
When going down a kerb the w/c should be taken down backwards. Always reassure and inform the resident at each stage

Maintenance:

In order to handle a w/c safely it needs to be in good working order.

The units are responsible for keeping privately-owned chairs clean. They will need to be wiped down on a regular basis
The ‘pool’ blue w/c’s owned by Nightingale are serviced and cleaned every 6 months, but should be wiped down by the units if they need cleaning in between these times
A w/c should not be used in the shower as it will rust
If the tyres need pumping up you should send a request to the night porters stating the problem and location
Faulty ‘blue’ w/c’s should be taken to the Therapy Department and the nature of fault explained.

Other chairs should be reported to Therapy using the yellow referral form, whereupon the Occupational Therapists will assess and refer to the appropriate company for repair.

Therapy Team For more information contact our Head of Therapy, Anne Topping on AnneTopping@nightingalehouse.org.uk