Why should chair and bed wheels be locked during a transfer with a board?

Why should chair and bed wheels be locked during a transfer with a board?

• A. To prevent the patient from falling off
• B. To satisfy safety audits
• C. To prevent movement of the furniture during the transfer
• D. To keep the room quiet

Answer: (C)

When transferring a patient with a sliding board, the surfaces you’re moving between must stay put. Locking the wheels on both the chair and the bed creates a stable, fixed base so the bed and chair don’t roll as you position the board and shift the patient. If the furniture can roll, even a small movement can misalign the transfer path, cause the board to slip, or lead to a loss of balance for the patient or caregiver. A locked, stationary base keeps the transfer smooth, controlled, and safer. While other benefits like quieter rooms or audits aren’t the point, the key idea is preventing furniture movement to maintain a predictable, safe transfer environment.

When transferring a patient with a sliding board, the surfaces you’re moving between must stay put. Locking the wheels on both the chair and the bed creates a stable, fixed base so the bed and chair don’t roll as you position the board and shift the patient. If the furniture can roll, even a small movement can misalign the transfer path, cause the board to slip, or lead to a loss of balance for the patient or caregiver. A locked, stationary base keeps the transfer smooth, controlled, and safer.

While other benefits like quieter rooms or audits aren’t the point, the key idea is preventing furniture movement to maintain a predictable, safe transfer environment.