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© Ferno-Washington, Inc 234-3298-03 February 2013
59T EZ
Glide®
Using the Chair
6.6 Transporting a Patient Up stairs
GEnEral GUiDElinEs
●
Carrying the chair up stairs requires a minimum of two
operators. Use additional help as needed (see
Using
Additional Help,
page 21).
●
Ferno recommends that the two operators face each
other when transporting a patient up stairs and that a
third person “spot” for the head-end operator. Follow
your local protocols for carrying chairs.
●
If the operators tire or need to attend the patient while
on stairs, see
Pausing On the Stairs,
page 20.
CarryinG ThE Chair UP sTairs
1.
Both Operators:
Roll the chair to the bottom of the
stairs and position it with the patient’s back to the stairs.
2.
head-end Operator:
Extend the lift bar to the desired
position and verify that it is locked. Do not open the
track system.
3.
Spotter:
Stand above the head-end operator with a
hand on the operator’s back to help steady and guide
him/her throughout the ascent (Figure 24).
4.
Foot-end Operator:
Extend the foot-end lift handles
to the desired position and verify that both handles are
locked (Figure 24).
5.
Both Operators and Spotter:
Working together, the
operators grasp the lift bar and lift handles and carry
the chair up the stairs. The spotter keeps a hand on
the head-end operator’s back and provides verbal
guidance (Figure 25).
6.
Both Operators:
At the top of the stairs, the head-end
operator sets the rear wheels of the chair on the floor
and rolls the chair backward until the front wheels are
securely on the floor.
7. If the chair has reached the destination, prepare the chair
for rolling by retracting the lift handles and lowering the
lift bar to a comfortable height.
8. To continue the ascent, adjust the lift handles and
lift bar as needed to maneuver the chair to the next
stairway.
Note:
In a narrow stairway, you may need to retract the
handles between each flight of stairs.
Figure 24 - Preparing to Carry the Chair
The Landing Zone
Ferno recommends you visualize a “landing
zone” of at the top or bottom of the stairway.
The landing zone should provide enough
clear, safe space for the chair to be set on
all four wheels, away from the edge of the
stairway.
Figure 25 - Carrying the Chair Up Stairs
Spotter
Transporting a Patient Up Stairs
The EZ Glide track system was designed to
assist in descending stairs. To ascend stairs,
lift and carry the chair. When carrying the
chair, close the track system to keep it out of
the way of the head-end operator.
