Bed Making

Learning Objectives

At the end of this unit, the learner able to:
• Describe different types of bed making. State the purposes of bed making in health care facilities.
• Develop understanding about general instruction of bed making
• Develop a skill to make different types of bed.
• Explain the purposes of side rails.
• List necessary equipment for bed making.
• Arrange bed-making equipment in order of their use.

Key terminology
Bed cradle - occupied bed - traction
Closed bed - open bed - unoccupied bed
Mitered corner - postoperative bed

In most instances beds are made after the client receives certain care and when beds are unoccupied. Unoccupied bed can be both open and closed.

Closed bed: is a smooth, comfortable and clean bed, which is prepared for a new patient
• In closed bed: the top sheet, blanket and bed spread are drawn up to the top of the bed and under the pillows.

Open bed: is one which is made for an ambulatory patient are made in the same way but the top covers of an open bed are folded back to make it easier of a client to get in.

Occupied bed: is a bed prepared for a weak patient who is unable to get out of bed.

Purpose:
1. To provide comfort and to facilitate movement of the patient
2. To conserve patient’s energy and maintain current health status

Anesthetic bed: is a bed prepared for a patient recovering from anesthesia

◘ Purpose: to facilitate easy transfer of the patient from stretcher to bed

Amputation bed: a regular bed with a bed cradle and sand bags
◘ Purpose: to leave the amputated part easy for observation

Fracture bed: a bed board under normal bed and cradle
◘ Purpose: to provide a flat, unyielding surface to support a fracture part

Cardiac bed: is one prepared for a patient with heart problem
◘ Purpose: to ease difficulty in breathing

General Instructions
1. Put bed coverings in order of use
2. Wash hands thoroughly after handling a patient's bed linen Linens and equipment soiled which secretions and excretions harbor micro-organisms that can be transmitted directly or by hand’s uniforms
3. Hold soiled linen away from uniform
4. Linen for one client is never (even momentarily) placed on another client’s bed
5. Soiled linen is placed directly in a portable linen hamper or a pillow case before it is gathered for disposal
6. Soiled linen is never shaken in the air because shaking can disseminate secretions and excretions and the microorganisms they contain
7. When stripping and making a bed, conserve time and energy by stripping and making up one side as completely as possible before working on the other side
8. To avoid unnecessary trips to the linen supply area, gather all needed linen before starting to strip bed
9. Make a vertical or horizontal toe pleat in the sheet to provide additional room for the clients feet.
Vertical - make a fold in the sheet 5-10 cm 1 to the foot
Horizontal – make a fold in the sheet 5-10 cm across the bed
near the foot
10. While tucking bedding under the mattress the palm of the hand should face down to protect your nails.

Order of Bed Covers
1. Mattress cover
2. Bottom sheet
3. Rubber sheet
4. Cotton (cloth) draw sheet
5. Top sheet
6. Blanket
7. Pillow case
8. Bed spread

Note
• Pillow should not be used for babies
• The mattress should be turned as often as necessary to prevent sagging, which will cause discomfort to the patient.