Bed making

Definition
It is the techniques of preparing different
types of bed in making a patients/clients
comfortable or his/her position suitable
for a particular condition.
Purpose of Bed Making:
1- To promote clients comfort.
2- To provide a clean environment for the
clients.
3- To provide a smooth, wrinkle- free bed
foundation, thus minimizing sources of skin
irritation.
4- To conserve the clients energy and
maintain current healthy status.
5- To prevent or avoid microorganisms to
come in contact with the patient
Principles
Micro organisms are found everywhere on the
skin, on the articles used by the client and in
the environment. The nurse takes care to
prevent the transference of micro organisms
from the source to the new host by direct or
indirect contact or prevent the prevent the
multiplication of the microorganisms
A safe and comfortable bed will ensure rest,
sleep and prevent several complications in
bedridden patients. E.g. bedsore, foot drop etc
Good body mechanisms maintain the body
alignment and prevents fatigue.
Systematic ways of functioning saves time,
energy and materials.
 GUIDELINES IN BEDMAKING
1.Wash hands thoroughly after handling clients
bed linen.
2.Hold soiled linens away from the body.
3.Linen for one client is never placed on another
clients bed.
4.Soiled linen is placed directly in a portable linen
hamper or tucked into a pillow case at the end of
the bed before it is gathered up for disposal in the
linen hamper or in linen chute. Pillowcase is then
tied and labeled with: name, room number,
communicable/non-communicable
5.Soiled linen is never shaken in air.
.
 6.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.
7.Gather all needed linen before starting
to strip the bed.
8.Keep the patients environment as clean
and as neat as possible
Types of beds
Open bed

1. Un occupied bed
2. Occupied bed
3. Special beds Closed bed

a) Admission bed
b) Post operative bed
c) Cardiac bed
d) Amputation bed/divided bed
e) Fracture bed
f) Therapeutic bed (renal bed, rheumatism
bed, blanket bed)
1-Unoccupied bed, used when the client is
able to get out of bed, is left open with the
top sheets folded down

1- Open bed: the top covers are folded

back so the patient can easily get back in
to bed.
2- Closed bed: the top sheet blankets and
bedspreads are drawn up to the head of
the mattress and under the pillow; this is
prepared in a hospital room before a new
client is admitted to the room.
 2-Occupied bed, used when the client is not
allowed out of bed.
 Definition of terms:
Fanfold: Specifically folding the
edge of the sheet used in the bed
6-8 inches outward.
Mitered corner: a means of
anchoring sheet on mattresses.
Toe pleat: a fold made in the top
bed clothes to provide additional
space for patients toes.
Stripping the Bed: Removal of used
linen and the airing of the mattress.
Kinds of Linens

Blanket: a large piece of clothe often soft, woolen and is

used for warmth as a bed cover.
Top sheet: used to cover the patient to provide warmth,
made of thick cotton, thermal material.
Cotton draw sheet: a piece of cloth that the rubber sheet
and is used to absorb moisture.
Bottom sheet: used to cover the bed after mattress cover.
Rubber sheet(Mackintosh): used to protect the bottom
sheet from soothing due to patient secretions and prevent
the patients from getting bedsore. It's usually placed over
the center of the bottom sheet.
Bed spread or counterpane: A counterpane is a cover on a
bed.
Un-occupied bed
Purpose
1. To provide clean and
comfortable bed for the patient
2. To reduce the risk of infection
by maintaining a clean
environment
3. To prevent bed sores by
ensuring there are no wrinkles to
cause pressure points
 Equipment required:
1. Mattress (1)
2. Bed sheets(2): Bottom sheet (1)
Top sheet (1)
3. Pillow (1)
4. Pillow cover (1)
5. Mackintosh (1)
6. Draw sheet (1)
7. Blanket (1)
8. Savlon water or Dettol water in basin
9. Sponge cloth (4):
to wipe with solution (1)
to dry (1)
When bed make is done by two nurses, sponge cloth is needed
two each.
10. Kidney tray or paper bag (1)
11. Laundry bag or Bucket (1)
12. Trolley(1)
 Procedure
unoccupied bed
Procedure Rationale
1. Explain the purpose and Providing information
procedure to the client. fosters cooperation.
2. Perform hand hygiene. To prevent the spread of
infection
3. Prepare all required Organization facilitates
equipment and bring the accurate skill
articles to the bedside. performance
4. Move the chair and bed It makes space for bed
side locker making and helps effective
action.
5. Clean Bed-side locker: To maintain the
Wipe with wet and dry. cleanliness
6. Clean the mattress: To prevent the spread of
1) Stand in right side. infection
2) Start wet wiping from top
to center and from
center to bottom in right
side of mattress.
3) Gather the dust and
debris to the bottom.
4) Collect them into kidney
tray.
5) Give dry wiping as same
as procedure 2).
6) Move to left side.
7) Wipe with wet and dry
the left side.
7. Move to right side.
Bottom sheet:
1) Place and slide the
bottom sheet upward over
the top of the bed leaving
the bottom edge of the
sheet. Unfolding the sheet in this
2) Open it lengthwise with manner allows to
the center fold along the make the bed on one side.
bed center.
3) Fold back the upper layer
of the sheet toward the
opposite side of the bed.
4) Tuck the bottom sheet
securely under the head of
the mattress(approximately
20-30cm).
Make a mitered corner. A mitered corner has a
Pick up the selvage edge neat appearance and keeps
with hand nearest the hand the sheet securely under
of the bed. the mattress.
Lay a triangle over the
side of the bed Tucking the bottom sheet
Tuck the hanging part of will be done by turn, the
the sheet under the corner of top firstly and the
mattress corner of the
Drop the triangle over the bottom later.
side of the bed. To secure the bottom
Tuck the sheet under the sheet on one side of the bed
entire side of bed
5) Repeat the same
procedure at the end of the
corner of the bed
6) Tuck the remainder in
along the side
3) Tuck the mackintosh under the
mattress.
4) Place the draw sheet on the
mackintosh. Spread and tuck

9.Move to the left side of the bed. Secure the bottom

Bottom sheet , mackintosh and sheet, mackintosh
draw sheet: and draw sheet on
1) Fold and tuck the bottom sheet one side of the bed
2) Fold and tuck both the
mackintosh and the draw sheet
under the mattress
10. Return to the right side. Ablanket provides
Top sheet and blanket: warmth.
1) Place the top sheet evenly on
the bed, centering it in the
below 20-30cm from the top of
the mattress.
2) Spread it downward.
3) Cover the top sheet with
blanket in the below 1 feet from
the top of the mattress and
spread downward. Making the cuff at the
4) Fold the cuff (approximately neck part prevents
1 feet) in the neck part irritation from blanket
5) Tuck all these together under edge.
the bottom of mattress. Miter Tucking all these
the corner. pieces together saves
6) Tuck the remainder in along time and
the side provides a neat
appearance.
11. Repeat the same as in
the above procedure in left
side
12. Return to the right side.
Pillow and pillow cover:
1) Put a clean pillow cover
on the pillow.
2) Place a pillow at the top
of the bed in the center with
the open end away from the
door.
13. Return the bed, the
chair and bed-side table to
their proper place.
To save time
A pillow is a comfortable
measure.
Pillow cover keeps
cleanliness of the pillow and
neat.
The open end may collect
dust or organisms.
The open end away from
the door also makes neat
Bedside necessities will be
within easy reach for the
client .
14. Replace all equipment in It makes well-setting for
proper place. the next.
Discard lines appropriately. Proper line disposal
prevents the spread of
infection.

15. Perform hand hygiene To prevent the spread of

infection.
Occupied Bed
Purpose:
1. To provide clean and comfortable bed for
the patient
2. To reduce the risk of infection by
maintaining a clean environment
3. To prevent bed sores by ensuring there
are no wrinkles to cause pressure points
PRE PROCEDURE CARE
Check the patients records and verify
their current status.
Check for any special precautions
So as to mitigate any stress on your back,
adjust the beds height.
Place the privacy sheet over the patient
 Procedure
Procedure
1. Check the clients
identification and condition
2.Explain the purpose and
procedure to the client
3. Perform hand hygiene
4. Prepare all required
equipment and bring the
articles to the bedside.
5. Close the curtain or door
to the room. Put screen.
Rationale
To assess necessity and
sufficient condition
Providing information
fosters cooperation
To prevent the spread of
infection
Organization facilitates
accurate skill performance
To maintain the clients
privacy
6. Remove the clients To prevent personal
personal belongings from belongings from damage
bed-side and put then into and loss.
the bed-side locker or
safe place.
7. Lift the clients head and The pillow is comfortable
move pillow from center to measure for the client
the left side.
8. Assist the client to turn Gives you more room to
toward left side of the bed. make the
Adjust the pillow. Leaves top bed.
sheet in place. Top sheet keeps the client
warm and protect his or her
privacy.
9.Stand in right side: Placing folded (or rolled)
Loose bottom bed linens. soiled linen close to the
Fanfold (or roll) soiled linens client allows more space to
from the side of the bed and place the clean bottom
10. Wipe the surface of mattress To prevent the
by sponge cloth with wet and dry. spread of infection.

11.Bottomsheet,mackintosh and Soiled linens can

draw sheet: easily be removed
1) Place the clean bottom sheet and clean
evenly on the bed folded linens are positioned
lengthwise with the center fold as to make the other
close to the clients back as side of the bed.
possible.
2) Adjust and tuck the sheet tightly
under the head of the mattress,
making mitered the upper corner.
3) Tighten the sheet under the end
of the mattress and make mitered
the lower corner.
4) Tuck in along side.
5) Place the mackintosh and the
draw sheet on the bottom sheet
12. Assist the client to roll
over the folded (rolled) linen
to right side of the bed. Re
adjust the pillow
and top sheet.
13.Move to left side:
Discard the soiled linens
appropriately. Hold them
away from uniform. Place
them in the laundry bag (or
bucket).
14.Wipe the surface of the
mattress by sponge cloth
With wet and dry.
Moving the client to the
beds other side allows you
to make the bed on that
side.
Soiled linens can
contaminate uniform, Which
may come into contact with
other clients
To prevent the spread of
infection
15.Bottomsheet,mackintosh Wrinkled linens can cause
and draw sheet: skin irritation.
1)Grasp clean linens and
gently pull them out from
under the client.
2) Spread them over the
beds un made side.
3) Tuck the bottom sheet
tightly under the head of
the mattress and miter the
corner.
4) Tighten the sheet under
the end of the mattress and
make mitered the lower
corner.
5) Tuck in along side.
6) Tuck the mackintosh and
the draw sheet under the
mattress
16. Assist the client back to the center The pillow is
of the bed. Adjust the pillow. comfort
measure for the
client

17. Return to right side: Tucking these

1) Place the clean top sheet at the top pieces together
side of the soiled top sheet. saves time and
2)Ask the client to hold the upper edge provides neat,
of the clean top sheet. tight corners.
3) Hold both the top of the soiled sheet
and the end of the clean sheet with
right hand and withdraw to downward.
Remove the soiled top sheet and put it
into a laundry bag (or a bucket).
4) Place the blanket over the top sheet.
Fold top sheet back over the blanket
over the client.
5) Tuck the lower ends securely under
18.Remove the pillow and
replace the pillow cover
with clean one and
reposition the pillow to the
bed under the clients head.
19. Replace personal To prevent personal
belongings back. Return the belongings from loss and
bed-side locker and the bed provide safe surroundings
as usual.

20. Return all equipment to To prepare for the next

proper place. procedure

21. Discard linens To prevent the spread of

appropriately. Perform hand infection.
hygiene.
SPECIAL BEDS
Admission bed
Post operative bed
Cardiac bed
Amputation bed/divided bed
Fracture bed
Therapeutic bed (renal bed, rheumatism
bed, blanket bed
Admission bed

Definition
It is a specially made bed for patients who are
admitted into the ward. It is made in such a way
that a patient or client is admitted without delay.

Purpose
To provide warmth for the patient.
To allow immediate admission.
To facilitate bathing of patient in bed without
undue disturbance.
To give prompt treatment
 Extra requirements to be added to those for
simple unoccupied bed.

A trolley with the following items:

long mackintosh sheet or mackintosh if

necessary
one or two blankets if necessary
bed accessories depending on patient's
condition eg. bed blocks or elevator, bed
cradle, back rest etc.
Steps/Procedure
Make up bed as for simple unoccupied bed until
draw sheet or mackintosh is in position.
Cover with a long waterproof sheet or a long
mackintosh if necessary
Use one bath blanket or sheet over the waterproof
sheet and tuck in all around or fold under itself.
Place second bath blanket over the bed.
Put in hot water bottles if necessary.
Put on top bed clothes.
Place counterpane loosely over the top bed clothes.
Tuck in the bed clothes on other side.
Fold the bedclothes over at the side nearest to the
door, leaving it open to facilitate quick admittance
Post operative bed

Definition
It is a type of bed that is made ready to
receive a patient returning from operating
theatre.

Purpose
To provide warmth.
To receive patient from theatre.
To combat shock.
To protect linen from vomit and saliva.
 Extra requirement to be added to those
required for a simple unoccupied bed.

Mackintosh or any waterproof material

and or dressing towel.
One or more blanket if necessary
Steps/Procedures
Make up simple unoccupied bed until draw sheet is
in position.
Place water proof and dressing towel at top of bed.
Leave pillow on chair.
Place hot water bottle on bed if necessary.
Place blanket on bed, if necessary.
Put top clothes on as for admission bed.
Turn back the bottom end of the top clothes.
Fold the top clothes at the open side and three part
over the bed for easy admission of the patient.
Note: Remove hot water bottle before patient is put in
bed.
Amputation Bed:
Amputation is the cutting or removal of
body parts by surgery to prevent spread
of infection or gangrene or some cancers.
Common parts are usually limbs both
upper and lower limbs.
Articles
Cardiac bed
Same as open/close bed
Back rest
Cardiac table
Extra pillows
Air cushion
Knee pillow
Foot rest
Sputum mug