A gait belt is a device used to transfer people from one position to another, from one thing to another or while ambulating people that have problems with balance. For example, you would use a gait belt to move a patient from a standing position to a wheelchair. The gait belt has been customarily made out of cotton webbing and a durable metal buckle on one end. With the advent of supergerms like MRSA, VRE etc.. limiting the ways that germs are transmitted is a major concern for the healthcare industry. Identifying proper methods for cleaning webbed belts is an issue that most healthcare facilities are struggling with. Organizations like Joint Commissions, OSHA and the CDC are constantly updating their recommendations for cleaning inanimate objects like the gait belt. Barry Chapman, a registered nurse, noticed that the webbed gait belts rarely if ever were cleaned. He also saw how hard they were to clean and keep clean. He patented his own version. Cleanable vinyl gait belts were introduced in 2001 by Chapman Medical Products LLC. The vinyl gait belt has had mixed reviews mainly because the main users like CNA's, PT's, PTA's, OT's and nurses have to purchase their own. Healthcare companies that purchase them for staff have limited funds. The medical product industry sees the value in the cleanable gait belt and many other gait belt manufacturers have produced their own versions of the cleanable vinyl gait belt.
In 2008 the government stopped paying for hospital acquired infections. In 2012 Medicare rules changed. According to The Daily Briefing "Under the rule, Medicare blocked additional hospital reimbursements for the treatment of certain "conditions that could reasonably have been prevented." The conditions for which Medicare no longer reimburses hospitals for treatment including: falls; mediastinitis, an infection that can develop after heart surgery; urinary tract infections that result from improper use of catheters; pressure ulcers; and vascular infections that result from improper use of catheters." In 2012 Chapman Medical Products LLC introduced the next generation gait belt that has antimicrobial properties built into the soft cleanable vinyl that kills germs on contact. The gait belt is worn around a patient's waist. The purpose for this is to put less strain on the back of the care giver and to provide support for the patient. One would use this device in a nursing home, a hospital, or other similar facility.
The proper way to apply it is to keep two fingers between the belt and the patient's body. Tighten it until it has just enough room for your fingers. If the belt is too loose you could either have it slip upward and injure the patient's chest (especially the female patient) or increase your risk for dropping them once the weight is put on the belt.
A gait belt should never be used as a restraint or on patients with G-tubes and should be avoided with patients who have catheters.
(There has been some discussion about best practices and whether gait belts are outmoded, and some caregivers would prefer to lift a patient by the arms. However, that is not necessarily an optimal solution because (unbeknownst to a particular caregiver) the person may have undergone shoulder surgery and thus be at increased risk of re-injury; or, especially with elderly persons the joints may be fragile and at risk of dislocation or injury.)
Transfer from Sitting to Standing Position; Ambulation
The following is instructional from the U.S. Government Agency, OSHA website (cited below)
Description: Gait belts/transfer belts with handles
When to Use: Transferring residents who are partially dependent, have some weight-bearing capacity, and are cooperative. Transfers such as bed to chair, chair to chair, or chair to car; when repositioning residents in chairs; supporting residents during ambulation; and in some cases when guiding and controlling falls.
Points to Remember: More than one caregiver may be needed. Belts with padded handles are easier to grip and increase security and control. Always transfer to resident's strongest side. Use good body mechanics and a rocking and pulling motion rather than lifting when using a belt. Belts may not be suitable for ambulation of heavy residents or residents with recent abdominal or back surgery, abdominal aneurysm, etc. should not be used for lifting residents. Ensure belt is securely fastened and cannot be easily undone by the resident during transfer. Ensure a layer of clothing is between residents' skin and the belt to avoid abrasion. Keep resident as close as possible to caregiver during transfer. Lower bedrails, remove arms and foot rests from chairs, and other items that may obstruct the transfer.