Marsden M-200 High Capacity Chair Scale

What is the Patient Transfer Scale?

The Patient Transfer Scale is a transfer slide with in-built weighing scale, which means that patients can be weighed during lateral transfer from trolley to bed, or bed to bed.

The Patient Transfer Scale was invented by Registered General Nuse, Gillian Taylor who has a background in A&E and Stroke Care.

What are the benefits of the Patient Transfer Scale?

In order to administer certain medication or treatments accurately, a patient needs to be weighed, however with immobile patients this is not easy. Previously, the only solutions were bed weighing scales or hoist scales, both of which can be cumbersome and time consuming. But the Patient Transfer Scale makes weighing a patient at the point they are admitted to hospital easier.

Lateral transfer of a patient from trolley to bed or bed to bed is an already existing - and essential - procedure. Therefore, the Patient Transfer Scale allows you to get a weight reading for these patients without taking up any time.

This helps you to reduce door to needle times and meet targets, and medication or treatment can be administered faster and with confidence by healthcare professionals. It also means less stress for staff, less stress for the patient, and the patient can be weighed with dignity.

Why do you need an accurate weight for patients?

A patient’s weight can be critical to delivering the right care and treatment at the right time. Getting a weight reading is particularly important when medication or treatment needs to be administered quickly.

The more accurate the weight reading, the more accurate the drug dosage and the more effectively the patient can be treated. The Patient Transfer Scale means that weight readings never need to be estimated again - so better patient care and patient outcomes.

Gaining an accurate weight for a patient is also required as part of the five MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) steps, to identify adults who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.

How is the Patient Transfer Scale used?

The Patient Transfer Scale, or PTS, can be used in the same way as a transfer board. Simply place the PTS across the trolley and bed, and move your patient across in line with your manual handling/patient transfer policies. You’ll just need to stop for 3-4 seconds as they pass over the PTS in order for the weight reading to register.

The Hold function can be used if required to stabilise the weight reading on the display. Watch this video to see the PTS in action.

Where can I find out more?

You can find out more about the Patient Transfer Scale by speaking to the Marsden team on 01709 364 296 or message us here.