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Dear
Raylene:
Thanks for submitting an interesting and challenging question. The Lift Doctor would first caution against attempting to pick the patient up immediately, despite your first impulse. Your first course of action should be to assess the patient’s condition and try to determine the reason for her being on her knees. If she is in medical distress, then your best approach would be to offer her assistance in lowering her gently to the floor in order to prevent any exacerbation of the problem. Once on the floor you are then in a position to guard against any further damage. If she has simply slipped down or was temporarily lightheaded, for example, then perhaps your best course of action would be to stabilize her using a chair, walker, or other assistive device before she attempts to rise to her feet. Avoid attempting to lift her on your own as this is likely to prove injurious to both you and the patient.
If this type of event occurs in a facility where a mobile floor lift is accessible, I suggest you consider using the lift if she is unable to rise on her own. Many floor lifts can pick up patients directly from the floor, and you should become familiar with their operation at your earliest opportunity.
Stay safe,
THE LIFT DOCTOR* |
