Moving and Positioning Individuals

Understand basic anatomy and physiology in relation to moving and positioning individuals.

Ways anatomy and physiology of the human body affects how people should be moved and positioned may include:

• upper limb disorders
• lower limb disorders
• back pain
• damage to joints or other tissues.

Learners need to consider different conditions and the impact it has on correct movement and positioning e.g. loss of feeling in limbs, arthritis, back pain, osteoarthritis.

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1
  State how the anatomy and physiology of the human body affects the way individuals should be moved and positioned.
  
• 1.2
  Describe the impact of specific conditions on the correct movement and positioning of an individual.

Know about guidance and requirements for moving and positioning individuals.

Legislation may include:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

Ways legislation affect moving and positioning individuals may include:

• if applied appropriately, it is safer for the patient and employee
• providing a more comfortable experience for the patient
• reduces risk of further injury.

Importance of moving and positioning individuals according to their care plan may include:

• reassurance for the patient
• conditions may not be obvious and could result in further injury or pain
• coordinated approach e.g. moving patient after medication.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1
  Describe how legislation and agreed ways of working affect the moving and positioning of individuals.
  
• 2.2
  Explain why it is important to move and position individuals in accordance with their care plan.

Know about health and safety in relation to moving and positioning individuals. 

Health and safety factors to consider may include:

• equipment is fully functional
• sufficient staff available to carry out the procedure
• environment is safe e.g. dry floors.

Ways to minimise risk may include:

• initial risk assessment before starting to avoid further injury or unnecessary pain
• put measures in place to reduce risk where practicable
• follow procedures and manufacture instructions when using equipment
• safety measures are put in place before starting.

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Outline the health and safety factors to be considered when moving and positioning individuals.

• 3.2
  Describe ways to minimise risk to self and individuals being moved and positioned.

Know how to move and position an individual.

In this final learning outcome the learner must describe how to prepare a specific individual. This must include details for each of the five sections listed in the assessment criteria.

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1
  Describe how to prepare a specific individual before moving and positioning.
  
• 4.2

  Describe safe practices for moving and positioning a specific individual including: 

  a)adherence to care plan

  b)use of aids and equipment

  c)involvement of other staff

  d)encouraging the individual's active participation in the manoeuvre

  e)ensuring the comfort of the individual

  f)monitoring the individual during the manoeuvre.