BEDMAKING

Definition: It is the proper adjustment of bed linens.

Types of Bed:

1. Standard Hospital Bed has a firm mattress on a metal frame that can be raised or

lowered horizontally. It is a bed that can be adjusted to a variety of positions. This type

of bed can be controlled manually or electrically.

2. Special Hospital Bed is a bed that is required for patients to maintain strict body

alignment. It rotates on an axis to turn the patient from supine to prone or vice –versa.

Two such beds are Stryker wedge frame and the CircOlectric bed.

a. Stryker wedge frame = is manually operated by the nurse, turns the patient

laterally through side-lying position. This bed is indicated for those with spinal

injuries or surgery requiring immobility.

b. CircOlectric bed = is operated electrically by the nurse using a push button

rotates the patient vertically through the standing position. This bed permits

frequent turning of the severely injured or immobilized patient with minimal

trauma and extraneous movement to prevent or treat decubitus ulcer, as well as

respiratory and circulatory complications.

Parts of the Bed:

The hospital bed is narrower than the usual bed so that the nurse can reach the client from

either side without undue stretching. It is 3 feet wide and 26 inches in height and the length

is usually 6 feet and 6 inches long.

1. siderails = protects the patients from accidental falls

2. wheel locks = prevents accidental movement of the bed.

3. patient’s signal = device to call for assistance from the health personnel

4. electronic or manual controls (cranks) = to change the position of the bed

Types of Bedmaking:

1. Unoccupied bed

a. open –bed

b. closed –bed

2. Obstetrical Bed

3. Post – operative Bed

4. Occupied Bed

General guidelines in Folding of Linen:

Bottom Sheet:

Fold lengthwise with the right side inside(RIBS) with the wider hem at the foot part of the

bed.

Fold again with the edge towards the centerfold of the linen.

Fold crosswise two times towards the foot part.

Top Sheet:

Fold lengthwise with the right side outside( ROTS ) and the wider hem at the head part of

the bed.

Rubber Sheet:

Roll both sides towards the center.

Cotton Draw Sheet:

Fold crosswise with the right side inside and fold again with the edge towards the

centerfold. Fold crosswise once.

Waterproof Under pad: (to be used instead of rubber and draw sheet i.e. blue chucks)

Same folding with the draw sheet.

Bath Blanket:

With two students facing one another holding both ends of the blanket with the right side
outside. Fold crosswise three times with the centerfold inside. Maintaining the hold of the blanket,

place the loose end with the wider hem, flip the rest of the folded sheets and insert it back towards

the hand that holds the blanket. Flip back the rest of the folds. Bring the edges towards the center

once.

Top Sheet: (Occupied Bed)

Fold the sheet crosswise. Follow the same sequence of folding with bath blanket.

INFECTION CONTROL IN BEDMAKING:

Apply these principles of basic infection control to all bedmaking procedures:

1. Microorganisms move through space on air current; therefore, handle linen

carefully. Avoid shaking it or tossing it into the laundry hamper (it should be placed

in the hamper).

2. Microorganisms are transferred from one surface to another whenever one object

touches another. Therefore, hold both soiled and clean linen away from your

uniform to prevent contamination of the clean linen by the uniform and

contamination of the uniform by soiled linen. In addition, avoid placing it on the

floor to prevent the spread of any bacteria present either on the linen or on the floor.

3. Proper handwashing removes many microorganisms that would be transferred by

the hands from one item to another. Therefore, wash your hands before you begin

and after you finish bedmaking.

1. UNOCCUPIED BED is a bed that does not call for any special cases.

4. Open–Bed = The top covers are folded back to make it easier for a

patient to get in.

5. Closed-Bed = The top covers are drawn up to the headpart over the

pillows.
Purposes:

1. To provide comfort of the patient.

2. To reduce transmission of microorganism.

3. To stimulate and refresh the patient.

4. To maintain hygienic environment.

Equipment:

1 bottom sheet/Flat or fitted sheet 1or 2 pillow cases

1 top sheet additional pillow

1 bath blanket (optional)

Procedure:

Action Rationale(Bold)

1. Wash your hands.

It deters the spread of microorganism. FITTED BOTTOM SHEET

2. Assemble equipment and place on 4. Follow steps 1 to 3. Position yourself

bedside at the foot of the bed in their diagonally toward the head of the bed.

order of use. Ensures good body mechanics and efficient

Organization promotes efficient time procedure.

management. 5. Start at the head with seamed side of

3. Grasp the mattress securely and shift it the fitted sheet toward the mattress.

up to the head of the bed. Placement of seamed side toward mattress

Allows more foot room for the client and prevents irritation to the client’s skin.

moves the mattress against the head of the 6. Lift the mattress corner with your hand

bed. closest to the bed; with your other

hand, pull and tuck the fitted sheet

over the mattress corner; secure at the

head of the bed 5. Grasp the corner of the mattress near

you with one hand and lift to tuck the

Prevents straining of back muscles; excess.

decreases the chance that the sheet will pull Lifting the mattress will prevent the linen

out from under the mattress. from being caught by the spring of the bed.

7. Pull and tuck the fitted sheet over the 6. Miter the sheet at the top corner by:

mattress corners at the foot of the a. Picking up the edge of the sheet and

bed. holding straight up forming a

Prevents straining of back muscles; double triangle.

decreases the chance that the sheet will pull b. Lay the upper part on the top of the

out from under the mattress. mattress.

c. Tuck the hanging part of the sheet.

FLAT REGULAR SHEET Mitering will secure the bed linen while the

Follow steps 1 to 3 bed is occupied.

4. Place the bottom sheet with its center (Fitted sheets do not require mitering).

fold on the center of the mattress with 7. Supporting your mitered corner, tuck

the bigger hem in line with the edge the sides of the bottom sheet under

of the mattress at the footpart. the mattress on the side moving

Open the sheet’s top layer towards towards the footpart.

the center of the bed as you bring the 8. Place the top sheet on the bed with

extra to the headpart. the centerfold on the center and the

Proper positioning of linen ensures that wider hem even at the head of the

adequate linen will be available to the cover mattress.

opposite side of the bed. Open the sheet’s top layer towards the

center of the bed as you bring the extra

to the footpart. Follow the same 11. Grasp the center of the closed end of the

procedure with the top blanket or pillow case. Gather the pillow case and

spread it placing the upper edge turn it inside out over one hand. With the

approximately 6” below the top of the same hand, grasp the middle of one end

sheet. of the pillow and pull the case over the

length of the pillow. Keep a firm hold on

Proper positioning of linen ensures that the pillow.

adequate linen will be available to cover This method makes it easy to slide pillow

opposite side of the bed. case over the pillow. Poorly fitting case

constricts fluffing and expansion of pillow.

9. Lifting the mattress, tuck the top sheet

under it. Miter the corner but do not tuck 12. Place the pillow at the head part of the

at the side. bed with the open end facing away

Untucking the side of the sheet will make it from the entrance

easier for the patient to slip in. Provides for a neater appearance

10. Fold the upper 18” of the top sheet 13. For an open–bed , fanfold top sheet

down to make a cuff. to the footpart.

Move to the other side of the bed and make For closed bed, draw the top sheet

that side of the bed following the same over the pillow.

procedure for securing the bed linen. Having linen opened makes it more convenient
for the client to get into bed.

14. Secure the signal device ( buzzer) on

The cuff of sheet makes it easier for the
the bed, according to hospital policy.
patient to pull to covers up.
Having the signal device within client’s reach
Working on one side of the bed at a time makes it possible for him to call for assistance
saves energy. as necessary.

15. Arrange the furniture.

16. Wash your hands.

Note: If blanket is used , follow the same procedure same as step # 8 , placing the upper edge

of the blanket approximately 6” below the top of the sheet .