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Writer's pictureRick Finch

5 Benefits of Using SlideMate Slide Sheets in Healthcare Settings

Patient being transfered with a SlideMate slide sheet

Slide sheets have become an indispensable tool for minimizing physical strain and enhancing safe patient handling, but not all slide sheets are the same. Let’s explore the benefits of using SlideMate slide sheets, an amazing slide tube designed to help you transfer and reposition residents and patients safely, in a variety of healthcare settings.

 

Understanding the Value of Slide Sheets in Safe Patient Handling

Graphic explaining how slide sheets can reduced muscle strain on caregivers.
  • Reduced Strain - Recent studies have reported that over half of healthcare workers report some degree of musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the lower back, due to frequent patient handling tasks.[1][2] The SlideMate is designed and constructed to significantly minimize the effort required by caregivers to move patients, preventing and reducing injuries.

  • Lateral Transfers -One of the primary uses for slide sheets is in lateral transfers. The SlideMate is particularly effective for this task due to its proprietary, high-quality, silicon-coated fabric, which reduces drag and allows caregivers to move patients smoothly with minimal force​​.

  • Repositioning - Regular repositioning is necessary for patient comfort, injury prevention, and pressure sore management. Yet, studies show that frequent repositioning of patients is a high-risk activity that significantly contributes to occupational injuries among healthcare workers.[3] The SlideMate allows caregivers to gently slide a patient up in bed which helps prevent the muscle strain from manual repositioning that can lead to injuries.

 

Essential for Caregiver and Patient Well-Being

Graphic explaining the benefits of using slide sheets
  • Reduced Fatigue and Increased Job Satisfaction - Caregiver fatigue is a persistent issue in healthcare. This fatigue can lead to burnout, which in turn increases turnover rates and

    compromises patient care quality. By integrating slide sheets into patient handling routines, caregivers can reduce the physical toll of their work. Studies indicate that using slide sheets significantly reduces subjective exertion, leading to lower rates of fatigue and ultimately improving job satisfaction and reducing burnout​​.[4][5]

  • Enhanced Patient Comfort and Safety - Patients also benefit when caregivers use slide sheets. Because slide sheets enable smoother, gentler movements, they prevent the discomfort and stress that can occur with manual transfers and positionings. SlideMate™ slide sheets are designed with patient comfort in mind, featuring materials that are both soft and friction-resistant, allowing for safe and comfortable patient handling​​.

 

Why SlideMate™ Stands Out in the World of Slide Sheets

SlideMate™ by Bridge Health offers several unique advantages that make it ideal for healthcare organizations focused on safety, quality, and infection control.

 

Versatile

  • SlideMate slide sheets are available in three sizes working for 99% of your patients. Its anti-static, latex-free, and radiolucent properties make it suitable for multiple departments, including:

    • Radiology

    • MedSurg

    • ED

    • ICU


  • Use the SlideMate for:

    • Repositioning a patient up in the bed

    • Lateral transfers

    • Turning

    • Proning

    • Multiple other assisted tasks

 

User-friendly

  • The mint green color of the single-patient-use SlideMate sheets makes them easy to identify, ensuring that caregivers can locate and use them quickly whenever they’re needed.

  • Available wall dispensers provide convenience and ease of use, allowing caregivers to focus more on patient care rather than equipment retrieval.

  • The SlideMate is crafted from durable silicon-treated polyester taffeta. The reusable sheet withstands multiple washings while maintaining its low-friction properties.

 

Infection Control

  • The SlideMate is available in a single-patient-use option for organizations prioritizing infection control; a valuable feature in reducing the risk of cross-contamination​​.

  • The durable silicon-coated woven material is designed to last the patient's entire stay, reducing the frequency of replacements and saving your organization money.

 

Improved Safety and Ergonomics

  • SlideMate slide sheets prioritize caregiver safety by reducing the force needed for patient transfers and repositioning, allowing caregivers to perform movements without straining their muscles, particularly in high-risk areas like the back and shoulders.

  • The slickness of the SlideMate allows caregivers to laterally transfer and reposition patients without adjusting the slide sheet’s direction, ensuring a more efficient and comfortable process for both patients and caregivers.

  • The SlideMate’s unique composition, with enhanced slickness compared to typical polyethylene or plastic slide sheets, minimizes noise during transfers, creating a smoother, more comfortable, and less stressful experience for the patient.

 

A Greener Approach 

Image of a single-patient use Slide Mate slide sheet.
  • The single-patient use SlideMate slide sheet is designed with environmental responsibility in mind; it is recyclable, in partnership with your local waste management company, allowing you to support sustainability initiatives while maintaining high standards in patient handling.

  • By choosing SlideMate, you can reduce waste and contribute to greener practices without compromising on safety or infection control.

 

Slide sheets are an essential component of safe patient handling, allowing caregivers to transfer, reposition, and turn patients with minimal physical exertion. In a field where every lift, transfer, and reposition matters, SlideMate provides a reliable solution that supports the health and safety of both caregivers and the patients in their care.


[1] Alperovitch-Najenson, D., Weiner, C., Ribak, J., & Kalichman, L. (2019). Sliding Sheet Use in Nursing Practice: An Intervention Study. Workplace Health & Safety, 68, 171 - 181. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079919880566.

[2] Higuchi, D., Takahashi, Y., & Tomita, Y. (2023). Effects of Slide Sheet Use and Bed Position on Muscle Activities in the Low Back and Extremities: A Pilot Experimental Simulation Study. Workplace Health & Safety, 71, 491 - 498. https://doi.org/10.1177/21650799231155626.

[3] Alperovitch-Najenson, D., Weiner, C., Ribak, J., & Kalichman, L. (2019). Sliding Sheet Use in Nursing Practice: An Intervention Study. Workplace Health & Safety, 68, 171 - 181. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079919880566.

[4] IBID

[5] Omura, Y., Yamagami, Y., Hirota, Y., Nakatani, E., Tsujimoto, T., & Inoue, T. (2019). Evaluation of the effectiveness of the sliding sheet in repositioning care in terms of working time and subjective fatigue: A comparative study with an experimental design. International journal of nursing studies, 99, 103389 . https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJNURSTU.2019.103389.

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