Chapter 3: Safer Patient Handling, Positioning, Transfers and Ambulation
3.4 Levels of Assistance
Critical Thinking Exercises: Questions, Answers, and Sources / References
Critical thinking questions are in bold type, and the answers are italicized. Additional resources or references are provided below.
- A patient requires no assistance from the healthcare provider except for the occasional reminder to lift their feet while walking. Is the patient’s level of assistance considered independent or a minimal assist?
Stand by supervision / One person assist (requires no physical assistance but may require verbal reminder.; may also be learning to transfer independently using a wheelchair, walker or cane)
Sources:
South Island Alliance Health. (n.d.). Level of assistance definitions. https://www.sialliance.health.nz/UserFiles/SouthIslandAlliance/File/LEVEL%20OF%20ASSISTANCE%20DEFINITIONS%202016.pdf
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA). (2008). Patient assessment procedures and screening tool. http://www.wrha.mb.ca/professionals/safety/files/SafePatientHandling/PatientAssessmentProcedure.pdf
2. A patient is assessed as needing a one-person pivot transfer. As the healthcare provider begins the transfer, the patient suddenly becomes uncooperative. What should the healthcare provider do next?
Remain calm. Lower the patient back to the surface they have come from. Assess the situation. Ensure patient safety. Consider interdisciplinary reassessment. Document on the care plan.
Sample Quiz Questions
- Match the descriptions of a patient’s mobility with an appropriate level of assistance.
| stand by supervision / one person assist | Requires direction to go for walks. |
| stand by supervision / one person assist | Slight weakness of legs. Normally uses a cane. |
| 2 assist | Post op hip replacement. Some pain. Ambulating for the first time post operatively. |
| Full assist | Patient is not mobile and is at times unpredictable. |
Sources:
South Island Alliance Health. (n.d.). Level of assistance definitions. https://www.sialliance.health.nz/UserFiles/SouthIslandAlliance/File/LEVEL%20OF%20ASSISTANCE%20DEFINITIONS%202016.pdf
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA). (2008). Patient assessment procedures and screening tool. http://www.wrha.mb.ca/professionals/safety/files/SafePatientHandling/PatientAssessmentProcedure.pdf
WorkSafeBC. (2006). Handle with care: Patient handling and the application of ergonomics (MSI) requirements. https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/handle-with-care-patient-handling-application-ergonomics-musculoskeletal-msi-requirements