ROLLBORD WITH FLAT SHEET FOR LATERAL TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS

For lateral transfers, the Rollbord with flat sheet technique can be used to improve back and shoulder posture and reduce the effort
required to perform the transfer. Staff Requirements: 3 trained caregivers for 200lb. patient. An additional caregiver is required for
every additional 100lb., (i.e. 400ib. patient, 5 caregivers are required). Additional staff may be required to support patient lines,
affected extremities, head, etc.

1) PREPARE - ROLLBORD 2) PREPARE - PATIENT 3) PREPARE – STRETCHER

 Log-roll patient.  Position the stretcher beside the bed,

 Drape a flat sheet over the Rollbord
length-wise.
 Adjust bed to a comfortable working
height between knuckle and elbow
height of the shortest staff member.
2) TRANSFER – PULL SIDE
 Position the Rollbord along the
patient’s spine and align with
patient’s head.
 Log-roll the patient back to a supine
position. Ensure at least 1/3 of the
patient is on the Rollbord.
 Reposition patient’s legs onto
Rollbord
 If possible, instruct patient to keep
their hands across their chest.
 Tuck in the Rollbord storage straps.
4) TRANSFER – ROCKING SIDE
aligning to patient’s head.
 Lower the stretcher slightly below the
bed to allow for gravity to assist with
the transfer.
 Grasp the extra sheet from the foot
end of the bed and drape over the
stretcher.
4) PERFORM TRANSFER

 On the ‘pull side’, one staff member
should be positioned by the patient’s
shoulders, while the other is by the
patient’s hips (where most of the
patient’s weight lies).
 Grasp the sheet at an arm’s distance
using an overhand grip.
 Use a staggered stance, placing your
stronger leg forward and bending
slightly.
 When the ‘Go’ instruction is given,
transfer weight from the front to the
back leg as you pull the sheet toward
your hips.
 On the ‘rocking’ side, the staff
member’s hands are positioned with
the thumbs up, at the patient’s
shoulders and hips, unless any
contraindications are noted.
 Only a ‘rocking’ motion of the patient
body is required to initiate the
transfer movement.
 The rocking side takes the lead on the
‘Ready-set-go’ instruction.
 At the ‘Go’ instruction and ‘rocking’ of
the patient by the ‘pusher’, the staff
members on the pull side transfer
their weight from their front leg to
their back leg using a controlled
movement.
 Break up movement into 2 or 3 pulls.
to allow for a smoother transition.
 If the patient is not centered on the
stretcher, gather and grasp the sheet
once more and pull again until patient
is positioned appropriately
 Reassess the patient for any concerns.

5) REMOVE ROLLBORD

 Raise the stretcher rail up on the opposite side of the Rollbord and move the stretcher partially away from the bed.
 To remove the Rollbord, begin to pull the Rollbord away from the patient walking between the patient and rollbord, placing the
rollbord on the empty surface.
 Raise the remaining stretcher rail up for patient transport.
Cleaning: Rollbords are to be cleaned by the Porters after each use with available disinfectant wipes. For patients presenting bodily
fluids, Rollbord should be covered using available plastic covers to protect the device.

Last revised: May 4, 2017 Developed by Hamilton Health Sciences