Describe how friction and shear drive risk during repositioning and lateral transfers.
The reframe: friction is a hazard, not an inconvenience. What friction does to the patient Dragging can distort skin and deeper tissue, especially when the patient is older, febrile, underweight, edematous, or has fragile skin. Lines and tubes can also pull when the body moves but equipment does not. What friction does to staff Friction turns a horizontal move into a forceful pull. Staff reach across the bed or trolley, twist, lean backward, and lose the ability to stop smoothly. More people may reduce individual effort, but it can also create uneven timing if the surface remains sticky. What controls…
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