While dealing with elderly patients and weakened individuals, the prime issue is their limited mobility which hinders their day-to-day activities. For such patients, tasks like getting up from bed into a standing position, walking, or simply changing body posture are nearly impossible to conduct by themselves hence the assistance of a caregiver is required. In addition, a mobility device like a transfer belt vs gait belt is also mandatory. But what does a transfer belt vs gait belt refer to? And how do both the products differ?
In the following article, let us check if there is a difference between a transfer belt vs gait belt and if yes, what it is.
What is a Transfer Belt vs Gait Belt?
A transfer belt is a product that is employed as a transfer aid i.e. to transfer patients from one place to another. It is also known as a gait belt or a walking belt. The purpose of using a transfer belt vs gait belt is to prevent falls and provide additional support to the patient.
A transfer belt vs gait belt is tied around the person’s waist and secured in place with the help of either a metal buckle or plastic-based quick-release buckles. The product ensures comfort and convenience for both the patient and the caregiver.
Transfer Belt vs Gait Belt: Is there any Difference?
Technically, there is no difference between a transfer belt vs gait belt. Both of these names refer to the same product which is tied around the patient’s waist to assist movement under the supervision of a caregiver. So, both the names are used synonymously.
However, the product is referred to as a gait belt if it is being employed for effectively preventing patients from falling while they are moving around or changing position. Similarly, the same device is called a transfer belt if the purpose is to lift the patient from one place and make them seated at another.
Other Patient Transfer Garments
Anything that is used to lift and transfer the patients is termed a patient transfer garment. These so-called garments include transfer or gait belts but are also inclusive of many other products. These products are often used for similar purposes as those associated with a transfer belt vs gait belt and include the following:
Transfer Slings
A transfer sling is a product that is designed to lift a patient from the bed. These slings cover the area from the waist level to the mid-shoulder. Once a transfer sling is put on, the patient is then lifted safely with the help of a lift. Slings ensure that the person remains immobilized during the transfer. With an aim to enhance patient comfort, these transfer slings are heavily padded which also reduces the risk of overexertion injuries.
Transfer slings come in handy in cases when the patient has any of the following problems:
· Fractured arms
· Dislocated or fractured collarbone
· Damaged shoulder
Transfer Vests
A standing transfer vest is a product that is tied around a patient’s trunk while she or he is standing on the floor. These transfer vests are effective in sharing the patient’s body weight due to their high weight-bearing capacity and thus provide assistance to individuals who can stand up but have balance problems.
Importance of Patient Transfer Garments
All kinds of patient transfer garments including transfer belts, transfer slings, vests, etc. are essential in their own ways. However, when it comes to choosing the right product for the right patient, it is important to check the patient’s mobility level as well as the strength of the caregiver. These products provide the following benefits:
Ease of Usage in Case of Emergency
Some of the medical complications which require the patient to be moved immediately into the emergency unit usually include the following:
· Cardiovascular complications
· Respiratory issues
In any of these cases, it is mandatory to lift the patient. For this purpose, a transfer vest is the best option which is both inexpensive as well as easily accessible. These vests have handles that can be used to hold and lift the patient by the caregiver or medical staff.
Enhanced Support to the Body
When a patient transfer garment is employed on a patient, it covers the lumbar area as well as the waist in a way that the lower back and hips are stabilized and supported. This way, the risk for the patient to be harmed is significantly reduced during the transfer process.
Ambulatory Assistance
While being moved from an ambulance, the use of patient transfer garments ensures that the caregiver and medical staff get the handles to hold the patient safely. This allows easy grasping and lifting. Moreover, the quick-release buckles on these vests and belts open rapidly when the patient is in the emergency ward.
Transfer Belt vs Gait Belt at Health Supply 770: Products and Features
In patients who are in their old age, support is necessary while lifting them, making them stand up, or transferring them from a standing position to a seated one. In this regard, the use of a transfer belt vs gait belt is often talked about. These gait and transfer belts assist patient transfers and also effectively prevent overexertion injuries.
Keeping in mind the extensive use of transfer belt vs gait belt, many manufacturers market their products all of which are of good quality. Some of these items are available at Health Supply 770 and have been discussed as follows in terms of their features, prices, and purchase links:
Gait Belt McKesson 60 Inch Length White with Metal Buckle
$824.88
(Per case or for a 48 pieces)
Product Details
Gait belts by McKesson are one of the most prominent products in this domain. Their construction material is 100% cotton which is known for being completely non-irritant to the skin. The metal buckle attached to the gait belt is constructed using nickel-plated iron which is a rust-free assembly. As a result, the product is guaranteed to last for longer if properly maintained.
The McKesson transfer belt vs gait belts is easy to use, reliable in performance, and convenient in their job. Their strength enables them to bear the patient’s weight effectively. The dimensions of these gait belts are suitable enough for patients from every age group i.e. the length is up to 60 inches while the width is 2 inches.
When it comes to maintenance, these gait belts can be washed easily either by hand or in a washing machine. Only mild soap and water can be employed for their cleaning. These products are also free from natural rubber latex so the risk of getting skin irritation is near to none. This way, people with sensitive skin types can also employ these gait belts.
In a nutshell, the product is easy to employ and does not require any expertise to use if proper usage instructions are followed. Moreover, the product is extremely reliable and does not break or become loose when employed on the patient.
M2616D72 DeRoyal Heavy Duty Stripped Gait or Transfer Belts with Tiger Teeth Locking
$10.88
(Per piece)
Product Details
M2616D72 DeRoyal heavy-duty gait belts are one of the most used mobility aids for the elderly. These are 70 inches long and 2 inches wide but these dimensions are of the standard size. Two other versions are also available which include 56 as well as 60 inches long products with 2 inches width.
The color of these gait belts is pastel and has a striped pattern on it. The construction material is pure cotton which does not irritate the skin and depicts high durability. The design of the product is also extremely simple. One end of the gait belt is affixed with a metal buckle which is made up of nickel-coated iron.
These iron buckles are strong and rust-proof. Also, the tiger-tooth design of the metal buckles keeps the belt tightly closed and does not cause the belt to untie. In addition, these gait belts from DeRoyal are free from latex material so there is no chance of skin irritation with their use. These M2616D72 DeRoyal heavy-duty gait belts are excellent to transfer patients during ambulation as well as for day-to-day movement assistance.
Other Transfer Tools at Health Supply 770
Drive Medical Divided Leg Patient Sling with Headrest
$294.49
(Per piece)
Product Details
Drive Medical divided leg patient sling with headrest has been designed in a way to maximize patient’s comfort. These are to be used with a floor-style patient lift. The coverage provided by the product is enough for the patient to stay comfortable throughout the process. These transfer slings are highly durable and can be washed for cleaning purposes.
Moreover, the strong nylon-based material used for constructing these transfer slings is resistant to deterioration caused by moisture. These divided leg transfer slings can carry a body weight of up to 450 pounds or lbs and come with a warranty of 6 months.
Drive Medical Bariatric Heavy Duty Canvas Sling
$299.99
(Per piece)
Product Details
Drive Medical Bariatric heavy-duty canvas sling is a transfer belt that supports the patient during lifting and transfer procedures. Their design is solid and these slings have a dimension of 39” x 39”. The construction material is canvas and the product only weighs 2 pounds or lbs.
Despite being lighter in weight, these transfer slings can carry a patient up to 600 pounds of body weight. The warranty of the product is up to 6 months and it can be easily washed and dried.
Drive Medical Sit-to-Stand Sling
$394.99
(Per piece)
Product Details
Drive Medical sit-to-stand sling works like the above-mentioned products. It has nylon as its construction material and has a weight capacity of up to 400 pounds or lbs. The product is attached with a floor-style patient lift while using it. Overall, these Drive Medical sit-to-stand transfer slings are strong, durable, and long-lasting.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary depending on the vendor.
All types of transfer belt vs gait belt mentioned in the article, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770 (https://hs770.com/), a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the links given in the article to check out the wide range of transfer belt vs gait belt.
Bottom Line
During old age, people are often in need of moving assistance. The caregivers handle the job of providing support to such patients with the help of mobility aids. One such product is the transfer belt vs gait belt which is tied around the patient’s waist for getting more support during walking or standing up.
A transfer belt vs gait belt ensures safe transfers for elderly patients while reducing the risk of getting an injury. The caregiver can grab the transfer belt vs gait belt to further increase the safety of the patient by providing enhanced control. When it comes to determine how transfer belt vs gait belt differ, there is no difference between the two. Rather, both of these terms refer to the same product.
Due to the importance of transfer belt vs gait belts in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, as well as in home settings, it is advised to keep a stock of these. Therefore, for purchasing different types of transfer belt vs gait belt, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
