Why do facilities need to ‘off load’ patients?

Off loading is the relief of pressure from a particular area. Off loading usually refers to the removal of pressure for a minimum of one minute from the area. Physicians will dictate the frequency with which residents are to be off loaded the duration.

In patients confined to a wheelchair, off loading requires the staff to stand the person upright using a lift or staff assistance. Similarly, after a patient has used the toilet, regulations may require the facility to off load the patient before helping them back to their wheelchair.

Tags: lift, off loading, wheelchair

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Jonathan Rosenfeld is a lawyer who represents people injured in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Jonathan has represented victims of nursing home abuse and neglect throughout Illinois and across the country. Jonathan's reputation as an aggressive advocate for the rights of the injured has resulted in millions of dollars recovered on behalf of his clients. Jonathan's successful representation of nursing home victims has resulted in many speaking engagements to elder groups.

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