All skills
Safety & Mobility

Bed to Wheelchair Transfer

Lock the wheelchair. Lower the bed. Gait belt on. Patient's feet flat on the floor. Pivot on the strong leg. Slowly lower into the chair. Verify comfort before walking away.

5-10 minutes•13 steps•7 criticalAlways tested
Pivot, don't lift. Lock the wheels, foot on the floor, count to three.

Why this matters

Pivot, don't lift. Lock the wheels, foot on the floor, count to three.

Quick tips

  • Lock BOTH wheelchair wheels and the bed before moving
  • Pivot on the patient's strong leg toward the chair
  • Lower the patient slowly — guides, not slams

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting to lock the wheelchair (catastrophic — patient falls)
  • Lifting instead of pivoting (back injury risk)
  • Not checking the patient's footwear before the transfer
  • Letting the patient fall backward into the chair without a controlled descent