Bed-Making

Provide smooth, wrinkle-free bed foundation

Place the bedside table/overbed table within
reach
Leave the bed in the high position if returning by
stretcher
Leave in the low position if returning to bed after
being up
• When turning the client to the side while
making an occupied bed, raise the side rail
nearest the client
• To ensure continued safety of the client
after making an occupied bed:
– Raise the side rails
– Place the bed in the low position
– Put items used by the client within easy reach
– Attach the signal cord
 Bed Making
• Types of Bed
1. Closed bed – bed which is covered to
the top
2. Open bed – bed with the top sheet fan
folded, ready for a newly admitted client
3. Post op bed- bed ready to admit a client
recovering from anesthesia
4. Occupied bed- bed which is made with the
client in it
 Purposes of Bed Making

• To provide comfort of the client

• To provide clean neat environment
• To provide a smooth wrinkle-free bed
foundation and remove sources of skin
irritation
 Special considerations in Bed
Making
• Practice good body mechanics. To prevent
muscle strain and back injury
• Strip one bed linen/sheet at a time. To
check if client’s valuables are present.
• Finish one side of the bed at a time.
• Avoid overreaching. It causes muscle
strain.
• Avoid fanning of soiled linens. May cause
contamination of the environment.
• Confine surface of bed linen that has been
in direct contact with the patient. To
prevent spread of microorganisms.
• Place the soiled linens in a pillow case, to
be discarded into a linen hamper. To
prevent contamination of the environment.
• Keep soiled linens away from the uniform.
To prevent contamination of uniform.
• Apply bed sheets in the following order.
– Bottom sheet
– Rubber sheet
– Draw sheet
– Top sheet and blanket (blanket is optional)
– Pillow case
• Make mitered corner to ensure neat bed.
• The smooth surface of the bed sheets
should come in contact with the client’s
skin
• For post op bed:
– Place pillow against the head board. Most
often, the patient is placed in a flat position.
This will also protect the client’s head during
transfer.
– Place towel on the head part, to prevent
soiling of linens from mouth drainage or
vomitus
– Placement of rubber sheet and draw
sheet depends on the type of surgery.
– Prepare the following at the bedside: IV
pole, emesis basin, BP apparatus,
suction apparatus, oxygen device.
For occupied bed, maintain safety of the
client, another nurse must stay on the
other side of the bed or put up the side
rail on that side to prevent falls.
Maintain privacy of the client during the
entire procedure.
Wash hands thoroughly after the procedure to
prevent contamination with microorganisms
and maintain a safe environment.
Note:
asepsis is an important consideration in bed making.
Drainage onto used linens may contain
microorganisms that can be transmitted through the
air when linens are shaken or through contact with
the nurse hands or clothing. Handle linens carefully
without shaking them. Wear gloves during bed
making if linen soiling is likely. Avoid touching your
clothing and wash hands after handling soiled linens