Product Overview
Posey EZ Clean Gait Belts are Patient Transfer Belts that provide caregivers with a secure hold point as they assist patients with transfers and supervised walking. This added patient support helps reduce the likelihood of slips and falls, which increases patient and caregiver safety. They also help reduce the likelihood of caregiver back pain and injury that often results from patient transfers.
These Mobility Aids come with spring-loaded buckle action. This means they are self-locking and very easy to apply and remove from a patient. They are made from non-porous polyurethane which gives them a sleek look and means they are extra quick and easy to wipe down, clean, and disinfect. This makes these belts a particularly hygienic choice. These belts come in five pleasing color options (sky blue, hot pink, orange, yellow, and black) and two sizes, standard and bariatric. Both economy and premium versions are available. Posey 6546, the black premium belt has a sleek, but low-profile look and is our best selling option. Another popular option is the cheery, sky blue Posey 6546B.
Features and Benefits
- Non-Porous Polyurethane Material
- Spring-Loaded Buckle (Self-Locking)
- Simple Application Process
- Five Beautiful Color Options
- For Patient Transfer and Monitored Walking
- Provides Patient Support
- Helps Prevent Patient Falls
- Reduces Likelihood of Patient and Caregiver Injury
- Very Easy to Clean
- A Hygienic Choice
- Bariatric Option Available
Who Will Find this Product Useful?
- Patients with balance issues.
- Patients who need assistance to walk.
- Patients looking for added support and stability while standing.
- Patients who need help transferring from one location to another.
- Patients who have a fall risk.
- Caregivers who wish to reduce the risk of patient slips and falls.
- Caregivers who wish to increase patient and personal safety.
- Caregivers who wish to prevent back pain and injury.
Product Guide
Product Instructions
How to Use this Posey Gait Belt
- Check the belt for any damage. If it is damaged in any way, do not use it.
- Ensure the patient has the cognitive ability to follow directions, can come to a sitting position from lying down without assistance, and has proper quadriceps strength for standing (see the "When should a gait belt be used?" question under the FAQ section on this page for a full list of instructions).
- Put the belt around the patient's waist. This should be over their clothing or gown. Never place a transfer belt directly over the skin.
- Pull the strap through the buckle.
- Tighten the belt until it both snug and comfortable to the patient. Slip a flat hand under the belt to ensure it is not too tight.
- Gently tug on the belt and assess the buckle to ensure it is buckled properly and that the band isn't going to slip.
- Follow facility guidelines to complete the patient transfer.
- Have a walker ready in front of the patient for them to grasp. If the walker has wheels, ensure that they are locked.
- Stand at the patient's side and facing them. Grasp the belt from underneath (one hand grasping the belt on the front side of the patient and the other grasping the belt on the backside of the patient.
- While still grasping the belt from each side, have the patient stand. Do not pull the patient up. This is an assistive tool and should be used only to help the patient keep balance, not to lift them.
- Ask the patient to report any lightheadedness or dizziness. Continue to grasp the belt. Have the patient stand for a minute before they walk to ensure that there is no dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Ask the patient to step forward and back three times to ensure they have no dizziness or lightheadedness and can walk on their own.
How to Wash this Gait Belt
- Use a mild detergent or OSHA-approved disinfectant (intermediate level) to wipe the belt down.
- Soaking this item in cleaning solution is not recommended. If it is soaked, rinse well with water until the chemicals are washed out completely.
- Dry the belt completely prior to its next use.
Safety Information
Warning
- Always assess the belt's integrity before use. Do not use this item if it is frayed or damaged in any way.
- Always use proper body mechanics during patient transfers. This includes times when a gait belt is in use. Follow facility caregiver guidelines.
- Always assess skin integrity before using this item.
- Patients should alway be assessed for contraindicated conditions before deciding to use this product. If the risks outweigh the benefits, do not use a gait belt.
Contraindications
- Abdominal Aneurysm
- Abdominal Surgury (When Recent)
- Chest Surgury (When Recent)
- Cardiac Conditions (When Severe)
- Cardio Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (When Severe)
- Colostomy
- Fitted with Monitoring Equipment
- G-tubes
- Hernias
- Ostomy
- Post-Surgical Incision
- Pressure Ulcers (Or At-Risk for Pressure Ulcers)
- Respiratory Conditions (When Severe)
- Skin Damage
- Spinal Fracture
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should gait belts be placed?
They should be placed around the patient's waist (their midsection) and over the top of clothing.
What is the difference between a transfer belt and a gait belt?
"Transfer belt" is an alternative name for a gait belt.
When should a gait belt be used?
Gait belts are a great tool for caregivers and patients when patients need assistance to walk or with location transfers. This item is appropriate for use if the patient has:
- No contraindicating conditions
- Sufficient cognitive ability to listen to and follow instruction
- Proper trunk control (they can come to a seated position from a lying position on their own)
- Enough quadracep strength to hold each leg out for at least five seconds on each side (their other foot should be planted on the floor during this exercise)
- Enough balance to step forward and back three times without dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of balance.
- While still holding the belt, walk with the patient to help them get to their next location.
When should gait belts not be used?
These items should not be used if the patient has any contraindicating conditions, is dizzy or lightheaded, or does not meet cognitive, trunk control, or quadricep strength standards (see "When should a gait belt be used" above to see how to test for these standards).
Are gait belts safe?
Yes, gait belts reduce the likelihood of patient falls and can increase patient and caregiver safety when used properly.
Product Videos
Posey Gait Belts - Training (5:24 minutes)
Gait Belts - Establishing Safe Practices (1:12:27 minutes)
Related Products
Complementary Products
- Proper Use of Gait Belts Video: A video with 15-minute segments that teach caregivers how to properly apply and use transfer belts.
- Fall Management Socks: Cloth socks with rubber treads on their bottom sides that help prevent slips and falls.
Alternative Products
- Medline Gait Belt: A washable and reusable cotton gait belt that comes in 54, 60, and 72-inch options. This item is a particularly cost-effective option.
- Posey Patterned Gait Belts: Cotton transfer belts that come in a wide assortment of pleasant pattern options. They also have polymer grip handles. These belts come in standard 54-inch and bariatric 72-inch sizes.
- NYOrtho Deluxe Gait Belt: An extra-wide, 4-inch transfer belt that provides extra leverage. This item has several integrated handles and a quick-release buckle for fast application and removal.
Product Specifications
- Manufacturer: Posey
- Brand: EZ Clean
- Item Numbers: 6545, 6545-R, 6546, 6546-R, 6546B, 6546B-R, 6546BL, 6546L, 6546O, 6546OL, 6546P, 6546P-R, 6546PL, 6546Y, 6546YL
- Application: Patient Transfer and Monitored Walking
- Type: Gait Belt
- Style: Spring-Loaded Buckle
- Variations: Economy, Premium
- Belt Material: Polyurethane (Non-Porous)
- Buckle Material: Polyethylene
- Sizes: Standard (63-Inch), Bariatric (84-Inch)
- Colors: Black, Hot Pink, Orange, Sky Blue, Yellow
- Weight Capacity: 279 lbs
- Width: 2 Inch
- Lengths: 63 Inch, 84 Inch
- Reusable: Yes
- Latex-Free: Yes
Manuals and Documents
Product Brochure contains Posey transfer belt details.
- Instruction Sheet contains use and care instructions.
Sources
Kaleida Health. POLICY/PROCEDURE/PROTOCOL/GUIDELINES. 2006.
- Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care, Santa Barbara. Personal Care and Support - Gait Belt Use. 2010.
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