Slide Sheets
Slide Sheets
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Slide sheets are one of the most commonly used types of equipment in healthcare services. They are used to move clients horizontally on beds, trolleys, and chairs without lifting. Slide sheets are relatively low cost, have many uses, and are relatively simple to use. They avoid the need to lift clients, but despite their simplicity, they do require training in their proper use. It is important that the use of slide sheets is consistent with current best practices.
Slide sheets are made from lightweight fabric and have low‑friction surfaces that become very slippery when placed together. They come in different configurations: the fabric may be sewn together to make a double sheet, or they may come as single sheets that the carer folds over to form a double layer. Two sheets can also be used together. They may or may not have handles for hanging up. Two single sheets are preferable as they are multidirectional and allow optimal movement. There are several handling techniques that use slide sheets ( Techniques for moving and handling people). Using them underneath a person allows an independent or assisted sliding movement on a bed. They can be used for many tasks involving lateral transfers and repositioning, such as:
• Moving a client in bed
• Turning a client on to their side in bed
• Transferring a client from a bed to a bed with a transfer board
• For a client who has fallen into a confined space; slide sheets can be used to move the client along the floor to a location where a hoist can be used
• Facilitating independent bed mobility. Slide sheets come in different sizes and they may be padded or unpadded. Slide sheets with loops can be stored on hooks beside clients’ beds.
Points to note about slide sheets
• Always conduct a risk assessment prior to moving a client
• Most slide sheet transfers require two carers
• The risk assessment should include skin integrity, pressure areas, wounds, attachments and sensitivities
• Assess pain management
• Encourage mobility where possible
• When moving large clients, ensure there is a sufficient number of correctly sized slide sheets and enough staff for the transfer
• Infection control considerations require slide sheet use with one client only before being laundered
• Slide sheets should be accessible beside the bed of the client for whom they are required – a suitable storage facility is needed, such as a hook, container or fabric holding bag
• When a client is discharged or moved to another location, or the sheets become soiled, the slide sheets should be sent for laundering
• Bed‑to‑bed transfers should always use both slide sheets and a transfer board
• Most types of slide sheet are designed to be laundered.
The usual slide sheet lifespan is around 80 washes, depending on the quality
• Slide sheets must be inspected for tears and other damage before use. Slide sheets can be used multiple times on the same client and require laundering when soiled, or before using with a different client. Organisations need to have a system for laundering slide sheets separately from regular laundry, as a hot wash destroys the fabric, reducing the lifespan of the slide sheet. Slide sheet care should be outlined in the organisation’s moving and handling policy. There are also disposable slide sheets for single client use only, which are discarded when no longer needed for that client.
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