Name:
Date: Section:
Name of Skill: Bedmaking (Occupied)
Procedure Rating
5 4 3 2 1
1. Prepare the needed materials
The following equipment is needed for this skill:
a. bed sheets (fitted or not)
b. pillow cases
c. blankets
d. bedspreads (depending on hospital policy)
extra padding for linen protection disposal bags for soiled linen.
2. Stack linens in order of use.
3. Make bed as follows:
Loosen top linens. Place linens to be reused folded on back of chair.
Raise or lower bed to comfortable working height.
Assist patient to side lying position close to bedrail exposing half of bed.
Position pillow under head. Have head of bed in flat position as tolerated.
Put soiled linen in linen bag, avoiding contact with uniform.
Cover patient with top sheet while replacing bottom linens (unless too soiled)
Loosen bottom linens on side of bed opposite patient, from head to toe.
Roll and tuck soiled bottom and draw sheet along patient’s legs, back and shoulder.
Along the center and one half of the bed, unfold clean mattress pad and bottom sheet.
a. Tuck in top and bottom of sheet, mitering corners of unfitted sheet.
MITERING CORNER:
Tuck end of sheet well under mattress; lay a triangular fold of sheet on bed; tuck end of sheet under bed; pull
triangular fold down over mattress edge and tuck under.
b. In center middle third of bed, place draw sheet and tuck under mattress (add waterproof pad if used).
c. Fanfold excess bottom sheet and draw sheet length-wise in center of bed, and tuck under soiled linen at
back of patient, taking care to ensure no wrinkles.
d. Roll patient carefully over tucked linen in center of bed, ensuring side rails are raised.
e. Move to opposite side of patient, lower rail and begin removing bottom linen. Dispose of linen
appropriately.
f. Unfold clean linen from under patient, ensuring smooth and tight fit and tuck accordingly.
g. Place clean top sheet over patient pulling soiled top sheet out from under clean one and dispose of
properly.
h. Put blanket and/or bedspread over top sheet with a 2-4 inch cuff at top.
i. Pull top sheet and blanket up to create a tent over patient’s toes.
j. Tuck top linens in at foot of bed with mitered corners and toe pleat as needed.
k. Remove soiled pillow cases by inverting open end of case back over closed end and replace with clean cases
4. Most hospitals do not require documentation of bed-making, however, any observations or safety precautions
should be addressed (call light in reach, bed in low position, side rails raised).
5. Assess for any soiled areas.
Total Score Remarks
Instructors Name and Signature
Name:
Date: Section:
Name of Skill: Bedmaking (Unoccupied)
Procedure Rating
5 4 3 2 1
1. The following equipment is needed for this skill:
a. bed sheets (fitted or not)
b. pillow cases
c. blankets
d. bedspreads (depending on hospital policy)
e. extra padding for linen protection
disposal bags for “soiled” linen.
2. Determine if patient may be repositioned “out of the bed” if the bed is occupied.
3. Place fresh linen on clean surface in room. Elevate the bed to a comfortable position.
4. Observe the linens for evidence of loose items or tubing that needs to be disconnected or soiled areas.
5. Loosen all bed linen carefully and systematically.
6. Remove pillow cases and place pillows on clean surfaces. Fold bedspreads and blankets simply and place on clean
surfaces.
7. Remove soiled pads or coverings and dispose of properly.
8. Roll all bed linen inside the bottom sheet, hold it away from you, and place in disposal bags.
9. Reposition the mattress to the head of the bed if needed.
10. Apply the bottom sheet, hem side down, by unfolding the linen and allowing excess length at the top to tuck in.
11. Work from one side to the other in spreading the sheet on the bed.
12. Begin securing the corners (unless using a fitted sheet) with a mitered corner. Note: Refer to making an occupied
bed procedure for mitering corners.
13. If a draw sheet or pad is needed, place it on the lower sheet where the top lies at the middle of the patient’s back
and the lower portion reaches to the patient’s mid-thigh or knees.
14. Once all four corners are secured, pull tightly at the final corner to decrease wrinkles and folds, tuck the sides of
the sheet under the mattress.
15. Apply the top portion of the bed, including sheet, blanket, and coverlet (if used). The top sheet should have the
hem side up. A small pleat may be added to the lower portion of the top sheet. When placing the top spreads on the
bed, allow some sheet to extend over the top covers to fold over, “cuffing” the covers.
16. Work from one side to the other in securing the top linens. The lower corners of the top covers should be mitered.
17. Place clean pillow cases on the pillows as needed. This can be done by grasping the closed end of the pillow case at
the center with one hand. Gather the sides of the case over that hand. Then grasp a short side of the pillow through
the case and pull the case sides up and over the pillow. Adjust the pillow case so that the seams are straight.
18. Reattach any tubes or cords to the bed linen.
19. The bed may be “open” by folding down the top covers either at one side or fan folded from the top to mid-bed.
20. A “closed” bed has the top covers left loose (not mitered) but remaining over the top portion of the mattress.
21. A “surgical” bed has the top covers un-mitered and fan-folded back to receive a transfer from a stretcher. Pillows
are left off the bed and the bed remains in high position with the wheels locked.
22. The “non-surgical” bed should be placed in lowest position with wheels locked.
23. Most hospitals do not require documentation of bed making, however, any observations or safety precautions
should be addressed (call light within reach, bed in low position, side rails raised).
24. Assess for any soiled areas.
Total Score Remarks
Instructors Name and Signature
