CHS6 Move and position individuals

Overview

This standard covers the movement, handling and positioning of individuals as part of their care plan according to their specific needs due to their condition.  This includes moving individuals from one place to another and re-positioning individuals within their immediate environment. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies. Version No 1

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. The current European and National legislation, national guidelines, organisational policies and protocols in accordance with Clinical/Corporate Governance which affect your work practice in relation to moving and positioning individuals
2. Your responsibilities and accountability in relation to the current European and National legislation, national guidelines and local policies and protocols and Clinical/Corporate Governance
3. The duty to report any acts or omissions in care that could be detrimental to yourself, other individuals or your employer
4. The importance of working within your own sphere of competence when and seeking advice when faced with situations outside your sphere of competence
5. The importance of applying standard precautions to moving and positioning individuals and the potential consequences of poor practice
6. How to access up-to-date copies of organisational risk assessments for moving, handling and positioning specific individuals
7. The importance of effective communication and co-ordinating actions between yourself and:
   1. the individual
   2. the team involved in the activity
   3. the wider health care team
8. The potential hazards associated with moving and positioning for the individual, yourself, and others involved in the activity
9. The importance of moving, handling and positioning the individual according to the care plan and their presenting condition(s) and the potential consequences of poor practice
10. The importance of good communication and co-ordinating actions effectively with others involved in moving, handling and positioning individuals
11. The action to take when the individual’s wishes conflict with their plan of care in relation to health and safety issues and their risk assessment
12. The normal:
    1. skeleton and muscle attachments
    2. range of movement in joints
    3. in relation to the importance of correct movement and positioning
13. Common physical conditions of individuals in your work area, the effect they have upon normal movement, in relation to the importance of correct movement and positioning
14. The importance of offering effective verbal and non-verbal support and reassurance to patients during preparation for moving and positioning activities
15. The effect that the individual’s personal beliefs and preferences may have their preferences for moving, handling and positioning
16. Reasons why the individual’s preferences affect how they are moved, handled and positioned
17. How to provide active support and promote the individual’s rights, choices and wellbeing when preparing to move, handle and position individuals
18. How individuals may be able to contribute to the moving/handing/positioning process and factors which limit their contribution
19. Reasons for moving and positioning individuals according to the care plan and their presenting condition(s)
20. Potential key changes in the conditions and circumstances of individuals that you are moving, handling and positioning, and actions to take in these circumstances
21. The aids and equipment you may use for moving, handling and positioning
22. Safety factors that need to be taken account of when preparing moving, handling and positioning equipment/machinery
23. The importance of preparing the environment for moving and handling prior to attempting to move and handle individuals
24. The importance of keeping the environment clear during moving, handling and positioning activities
25. Why it is vital to follow the care plan
26. The importance of team working
27. The importance of the possible consequences for the individual, yourself and others if you do not comply with safe moving and positioning techniques
28. Sources of further help for moving, handling and positioning individuals in different health and care settings
29. The importance of restoring the environment after moving, handling and positioning activities
30. The importance of keeping accurate and up to date records
31. The importance of immediately reporting any issues which are outside your own sphere of competence without delay to the relevant member of staff

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. apply standard precautions for infection prevention and control and apply all other relevant health and safety measures
2. check the individual’s care plan and the moving and handling risk assessment prior to commencing any moving and handling
3. assess any immediate risks to individuals and where you think there is a risk that you cannot deal with, you seek advice from the appropriate people before moving or handling individuals
4. inform the individual what you are about to do and support them to communicate the level of support they require
5. obtain the individuals valid consent and ensure they understand why they are being moved and handled in particular ways and how they can usefully co-operate in the procedure
6. remove potential hazards and prepare the immediate environment, ensuring adequate space for the move to take place, in agreement with all concerned 
7. seek appropriate assistance to enable you to move and handle the individual safely
8. move the individual according to the care plan
9. position the individual according to the care plan using the correct technique and in a way that will avoid causing undue pain or discomfort
10. observe the individual throughout the activity and stop the activity if any adverse effects occur
11. seek help from other professionals if problems arise during the activity
12. use the appropriate equipment in order to maintain the individual in the required position
13. report, and where applicable, record the activity in the appropriate documents, noting when the next positioning manoeuvre is due

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004): Dimension: HWB5 Provision of care to meet health and wellbeing needs This standard has replaced HCS_I5, HCS_AUD6, HCS_CARD6 and HSC360