BED MAKING

Definition of Terms
1. Bed Making
is the technique of preparing different types of bed making to patients/clients
comfortable in his/her suitable position for a particular condition
2. Fanfold
specifically folding the edge of the sheet used in the bed 6 - 8 inches outward
3. Mitered Corner
a means of anchoring the sheet on mattress.
4. Toe Pleat
a fold made in the top bed clothes to provide additional space for patients toes.
5. Foot Drop
plantar flexion of the foot with permanent contracture of gastronomies (calf) muscles
and tension.
6. Bed Cradle
is a curved, semi- circular made of metal tat can be placed over a portion of the patient’s
body.
7. Hospital Bed
It’s usually about 26-28 inches (65-70) cm. above to floor.

Purpose of Bed Making

1. To promote clients comfort.
2. To provide a clean environment for the clients.
3. To provide smooth, wrinkle-free bed foundation, thus minimizing sources of skin
irritation.
4. To conserve the client’s energy and maintain current healthy status.
5. To prevent or avoid microorganisms to come in contact with the patient which could
cause tribulations.

Common Types of Bed

A. Occupied Bed
is made when the patient is not able or not permitted to get out of the bed.
B. Unoccupied Bed
is made when there is no patient confined in bed, while a patient in the shower or
sitting up in a chair.

Types of Unoccupied Bed

1. Open Bed
the top covers are folded back so that the patient can easily get back in to bed.
 2. Closed Bed
the top sheet blanket 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.
3. Post-operative Bed
known as recovery bed or anesthetic bed, the used for a patient with large cast or other
circumstances that would make it difficult for him to transfer easily into bed.
Kinds of Linens
A. Blanket
a large piece of cloth often soft, woolen and is used for warmth as a bed cover.
B. Top Sheet
used to cover the patient to provide warmth, made of thick cotton, thermal material.
C. Cotton Draw Sheet
a piece of cloth that the rubber sheet and is used to absorb and moisture.
D. Bottom Sheet
used to cover the bed after mattress cover.
E. Rubber Sheet
used to protect the bottom sheet from soothing due to patient secretions and prevent
the patients form getting bedsore. It’s usually placed over the center of the bottom sheet.

Guidelines in Bed Making

1. Wash hand thoroughly before and after handling clients bed linen. Helps to control
nosocomial infection

2. Hold soiled linens away from the body. To avoid contact with nurse’s clothes and avoid
spreading microorganism

3. Linen for one client is never placed on another client’s bed. To avoid transporting
microorganism from patient to patient.
4. Soiled linens is placed directly in a portable linen hamper or tucked in to a pillow case at the
end of the bed before it is gathered up for disposal in the linen hamper or in linen chute. Pillow
case is then tied and labeled with: name, room number, communicable/non-communicable.
Limited patient secretion and avoid contamination with other furniture.

5. Soiled linen is never. To avoid spreading the microorganism

6. When stripping and making a bed, conserve time and energy by stripping and making up one
side completely as possible before working on the other side. To avoid time and energy waste
7. Gather all needed linen before starting to strip the bed. To keep time, energy and quality of
work.
8. Move the furniture away from the bed. To provide ample working space

COMMON TYPES OF BED

A. UNOCCUPIED BED
is made when there is no patient confined in bed.
2 TYPES OF UNOCCUPIED BED
1. CLOSED BED – is one in which is covered entirely by the top sheet.
2. OPEN BED – it is a bed with the top sheet folded back, ready for patient’s occupancy.

B. OCCUPIED BED
it is a bed that is made with the patient in it.
C.POST-OPERATIVE BED
it is a bed which has been prepared to receive and to meet the needs of a patient
recovering from anesthesia, after surgery of a diagnostic procedure.
UNOCCUPIED CLOSED BED
Unoccupied Closed Bed – is one in which is covered entirely by the top sheet and bedspread.
PURPOSES
1. To promote the client’s comfort.
2. To provide clean and neat environment for the client.
3. To provide a smooth, wrinkle-free bed foundation, thus minimizing sources of skin irritation.
PURPOSES
1. To promote the client’s comfort.
2. To provide clean and neat environment for the client.
3. To provide a smooth, wrinkle-free bed foundation, thus minimizing sources of skin irritation.
4. Finish one side of the bed at a time.
Remember that placement of the rubber sheet will depend upon the patient’s need.
5. Leave the patient’s unit in order.
6. Apply the principles of body mechanics while you are making the bed.
Preparation
A. Equipment
Assemble at the bedside and arrange according to use
2 bed sheet
1 rubber sheet
1 draw sheet
1 bedspread (optional)
1 pillow case or more as needed
mattress cover (if necessary)
BED
1. Place the bed in a position which will allow adequate workplace.
2. Lower the back and knee rest and lock casters.
3. Turn the mattress, stretch or change mattress cover if necessary
PROCEDURES
1. Refold the sheet according to its system of use.
2. Place clean linen on a chair in order of use. See to it that the bed is flat.
3. Cover the mattress (optional)
4. Place bottom sheet with center fold in the center line with the rim of mattress at foot part.
Tuck extra sheet at side from head part to foot part. Make a mitered corner.
5. Refold the sheet according to its system of use.
6. Place clean linen on a chair in order of use. See to it that the bed is flat.
7. Cover the mattress (optional)
8. 4. Place bottom sheet with center fold in the center line with the rim of mattress at foot
part. Tuck extra sheet at side from head part to foot part. Make a mitered corner.
. Tuck the top sheet at the foot part of the bed and make half-mitered corner.
9. Get the pillow and fluff its contents
10. Put on the pillow case this way:
a. IF BOTH ENDS OF PILLOW CASE ARE OPEN
- Insert one arm through the pillow case.
- Pull in the pillow by grasping it at one hand adjust the pillow case.

b. IF ONLY ONE END IS OPEN

- Evert the pillow case and hold one corner from the inside.
- With the same hand, grasp one corner of the pillow while the other hand adjust, pillow
case on the pillow.
11. Place the covered pillow on the head part of the bed.
12. Cover with the top sheet and tuck at the foot part.
UNOCCUPIED OPEN BED
- it is a bed with the top sheet folded back, ready for patient’s occupancy.
PROCEDURE
1. Fold the bedspread and set aside.
2. Fold back the top sheet 12-18 inches from the head part or either
a. Fanfold it towards the foot part r
b. Fold one side obliquely across the bed.
3. Arrange the pillows such the seam of the pillow case is underneath or towards the head
part of the bed.

OCCUPIED BED

- it is a bed that is made with the patient on it.

PURPOSES
1. To change wet or soiled bedding, for the safety and comfort of the patient.
2. To provide a change of position and to afford an opportunity to inspect the patient body.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
1. Before starting the procedure, be sure all needed bed linen are assembled and arranged
according to use.
2. Maintain correct body alignment and minimize the patient’s physical exertion by;
a. Efficient and quick workmanship.
b. Observing precaution, in turning or lifting the patient.
c. Being careful not to jar the bed.
d. Raising the mattress at minimum height to tuck in sheets.
3. If needed, secure assistance.
4. Be sure that patient remains adequately covered during the procedure.
5. Perform modification of the basic technique in order to meet the patient’s need.
6. Tuck the top sheet loose enough to prevent plantar flexion.
PREPARATION
A. Equipment: Arrange at the bed side and in order of use.
2 bed sheets
1 draw sheet
1 rubber sheet (if needs changing)
1 or more pillow cases
B. Patient and unit
1. Inform the patient about the procedure.
2. Provide privacy-close the door if the patient is in a private room. Screen the bed if in
general ward.
3. Remove unnecessary articles on the bed such as extra pillows, blankets, hotwater bags,
ice cap etc.
4. Lower the back and knee rests if condition of patient allows.

PROCEDURE
1. Loosen the bedding from the head part to the foot part and move or turn the patient
towards the nurse.
2. Go to other side and loosen the beddings from the foot part to the head part.
3. Roll beddings separately towards the center with the bottom line under the patient.
4. Lay out the bottom sheet and tuck it as in closed bed.
5. Roll out rubber sheet or replace with another if it is soiled, Cover with draw sheet and
tuck them together under the mattress.
6. Change the top sheet by spreading it over and folding back 12-18 inches from the head
part.
7. Pull out dirty top sheet towards foot part.
8. Move the patient over to the prepared part and make the half mitered corner.
9. Go to the other side and remove the dirty linen.
10. Spread out the other half of the bottom, rubber and draw sheets.
11. Proceed as in making close bed
12. Make the half mitered corner on the top sheet at the foot part.
13. Change the pillow case and put back under the patient’s bed.
14. Make the patient comfortable and leave the unit in order.
15. Discard dirty linen to hamper.