When is a slide board appropriate for transfers?

• A. The resident can bear some weight and needs a gliding transfer from bed to chair with assistance, following facility policy.
• B. The resident cannot bear any weight and requires lifting by staff.
• C. A slide board is used only for moving from chair to bed, not bed to chair.
• D. Slide boards require no assistance.

Answer: (A)

Slide boards are used when the resident can bear some weight and needs a gliding transfer with assistance. The board bridges the space between bed and chair, allowing the resident to slide rather than be lifted, which reduces friction and shear on the skin. For this to be safe, staff provide guiding support and stabilization, helping maintain proper body mechanics and a controlled transfer while the resident uses their arms and legs to move across the board. This method requires cooperation and some weight-bearing ability, and it must be done in accordance with facility policy.

It wouldn’t be appropriate if the resident cannot bear any weight, since a lift or other mechanical assist is typically needed in that case. A slide board is not limited to moving in one direction only; it can be used to transfer from bed to chair or chair to bed as needed. And it does require at least some assistance to ensure safety and proper technique.