Patienttransfer boards: Choosing the right solution for every care setting

Transferring a patient from a bed to a wheelchair, moving them between stretchers, or performing a lateral transfer in an emergency department are everyday tasks across hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centres, and home care environments. Although these procedures are all considered patient transfers, each scenario presents different clinical and practical requirements.

Selecting the right transfer board depends on several factors, including the distance between transfer surfaces, the patient’s functional abilities, their level of participation, the care environment, and the number of healthcare professionals available to perform the transfer.

There is no single transfer board suitable for every application. Choosing a solution designed for the specific transfer helps improve patient safety and comfort, increases stability between surfaces, supports more controlled movement, and reduces the physical demands placed on caregivers.

The MOBITOOLS Glide® range offers a comprehensive selection of transfer boards for both seated and horizontal patient transfers, with dedicated models for hospitals, nursing homes, home care, bariatric patients, ambulance services, and emergency care.

What is a patient transfer board?

A patient transfer board is a transfer aid designed to bridge the gap between two surfaces, enabling safer and more controlled transfers for people with reduced mobility.

Depending on its design and dimensions, a transfer board can be used for seated transfers between a bed and a wheelchair, between a chair and a vehicle, or for lateral transfers between horizontal surfaces such as beds, stretchers, examination tables, and diagnostic imaging equipment.

A transfer board does more than simply connect two surfaces. When correctly selected, it provides a stable support surface that promotes smooth, controlled movement while accommodating the patient’s mobility level and functional abilities.

Medicare System develops patient transfer and handling solutions that help healthcare professionals perform safer, more ergonomic, and more efficient transfers while improving patient comfort and reducing the risk of work-related injuries.

Seated transfer boards

Seated transfer boards are designed for patients who can remain in a seated position and actively participate, either independently or with assistance, during the transfer.

Depending on the model, they are suitable for applications including:

• Bed to wheelchair transfers.
• Wheelchair to armchair transfers.
• Chair to vehicle seat transfers.
• Vehicle to wheelchair transfers.
• Transfers between a wheelchair and other seating or support surfaces

These boards are typically compact, lightweight, and easy to handle. Some models incorporate longitudinal hand slots to improve grip and positioning, while others feature a curved profile that facilitates transfers where angled positioning is required.

Their lightweight construction and integrated carrying handles make them easy to transport between hospital departments, care facilities, and home care settings. The MOBITOOLS Glide® range includes dedicated models for travel, home care, hospital use, and transfers requiring enhanced manoeuvrability.

Horizontal transfer boards

Horizontal transfer boards are specifically designed for lateral transfers of patients in a lying position between surfaces such as:

• Bed to bed.
• Bed to stretcher.
• Stretcher to examination table.
• Bed to diagnostic imaging equipment.
• Emergency, rescue and patient transport surface.

These applications require boards with greater length and width to provide continuous support throughout the lateral transfer.

Several models incorporate integrated handles, grip zones, hand slots, or other features that facilitate handling by healthcare professionals. The range also includes dedicated bariatric models, as well as solutions developed for emergency services and patient transport where speed, stability, and ease of handling are essential.

Selected models feature a low-friction sliding surface combined with a non-slip underside to maximise safety during transfers. Radiolucent and MRI-compatible versions are also available where specified.

Which MOBITOOLS Glide® transfer board is right for your care setting?

The MOBITOOLS Glide® range is divided into two main product categories: seated transfer boards and horizontal transfer boards