Textbook for Nursing Assistants

1. Textbook for Nursing Assistants Chapter 15: Bedmaking

2. Linens and Other Supplies for Bedmaking

3. Learning Objectives • 1. Describe ways that a properly made bed can increase a person’s comfort and well-being. • 2. List the different types of linens and their uses. • 3. Demonstrate the proper way to handle and care for linens.

4. Linens • Many types of linens are used to make a bed • Linens that you may commonly see in use in a health care facility include the following: • Mattress pads • Bottom and top sheets • Draw sheets • Bed protectors • Blankets

5. Linen and other supplies • Pillows and pillowcases • Bath blankets • Occasionally, other equipment or supplies are used on a person’s bed, depending on the specific needs of the patient or resident. Some of the items used include the following: • A pressure-relieving mattress • A bed board • A bed cradle • A footboard

6. Linens: Mattress Pads • A mattress pad is a thick layer of padding that is placed on the mattress to help make the bed more comfortable for the patient or resident, and to protect the mattress from moisture and soiling • Fitted mattress pad • Has elasticized sides that wrap around and underneath the mattress, holding the pad securely to the mattress • Flat (non-fitted) mattress pad • Pad is not secured to the mattress

7. Linens: Bottom and Top Sheets • A bed is made with two sheets, a bottom sheet and a top sheet • Bottom sheet may be • Flat, or non-fitted • Fitted • The top sheet is a flat sheet. • The sheets may be white or colored, plain or print

8. Linens: Draw Sheets • A draw sheetis a small, flat sheet that is placed over the middle of the bottom sheet, covering the area of the bed from above the person’s shoulders to below his or her buttocks • A lift sheetis simply a draw sheet that is used to help lift or reposition a person who needs assistance with moving in bed

9. Linens: Bed Protector • A bed protector is a square of quilted absorbent fabric backed with waterproof material • It measures approximately 3 feet by 3 feet • It may be disposable, or it may be laundered and reused • It is used for people who are incontinent or have draining wounds • Sometimes, only the bed protector needs to be changed, resulting in more efficient and economical care

10. Linens: Blankets • Blankets are usually woven cotton and should be available as requested by a person for his or her comfort • Blankets may be of wool, cotton, or synthetic, depending on the person’s preference and the climate • Electric blankets should be checked for faulty wiring or plugs and may not be safe to use if the person is incontinent or unable to adjust the controls independently; should only be used according to facility policy

11. Linens: Bedspreads • A bedspread adds the finishing touch to a well-made bed and can add a decorative touch to a person’s room • Hospitals and extended-care facilities may supply bedspreads for their patients to use • Long-term care facilities may encourage their residents to use their own bed coverings • Allowing a person to use his or her bedspread from home is one way to foster a sense of independence and individuality in residents

12. Linens: Pillows and Pillowcases • Pillows are used for comfort and to aid in positioning • They may be available in many sizes, are made from a variety of materials, and may be covered with waterproof material or treated with a waterproofing substance • Pillows are always covered with clean pillowcases

13. Linens: Bath Blankets • A bath blanket is a lightweight cotton blanket or flannel sheet that is used to provide modesty and warmth during a bed bath or a linen change • A flat sheet may also be used for this purpose if the facility does not provide a special bath blanket

14. Linens: Pressure-Relieving Mattress • May be placed on top of the regular mattress to help prevent skin breakdown in patients and residents who must stay in bed for long periods of time • Newer versions of pressure-relieving mattresses may be filled with air or water, and are made out of a material that is easily cleaned

15. Linens: Bed Board • A bed board is a piece of wood (usually plywood) that is placed under the mattress to provide extra support • It keeps the mattress from sagging, helping to keep the person’s body properly aligned

16. Linens: Bed Cradle • A bed cradle is a metal frame that is placed between the bottom and top sheets to keep the top sheet, the blanket, and the bedspread away from the person’s feet • Bed cradles are often used for people who are recovering from burns to prevent the top sheet from touching the burned skin, which would be very painful • They are also often used for people who are at risk for developing pressure ulcers on their feet

17. Linens: Footboard • A footboard is a padded board that is placed upright at the foot of the bed • The person’s feet rest flat against the footboard, helping to keep the feet in proper alignment

18. Handling of Linens

19. Guidelines for Handling Linens

20. Guidelines for Handling Linens

21. Guidelines for Handling Linens

22. Guidelines for Handling Linens

23. Guidelines for Handling Linens

24. Guidelines for Handling Linens

25. Guidelines for Handling Linens

26. Guidelines for Handling Linens

28. STOP & THINK • Case Study 1 • You are making an occupied bed. There is no linen hamper in the room, and you have already removed the soiled linens from the bed. Mrs. O’Shea, the patient, is lying on her side in the bed, covered with a bath blanket. Discussion Points • What should you do with the soiled linens until you can take them to the linen room or hallway hamper?

29. STOP & THINK • Case Study 2 • Barbara is a PCT on 3 West. She has already changed the bed linens twice during her shift for one of her patients, Mrs. Bridges. Mrs. Bridges is receiving chemotherapy for cancer, and one of the side effects of the medication is uncontrollable diarrhea. When Barbara answers Mrs. Bridges’ call light, she sadly informs her that she just could not wait and has soiled the bed again. As Barbara heads toward the linen closet to collect her supplies, she is mentally making a list of the items she needs to collect. • Discussion Point---What are some items that Barbara should remember to collect along with clean sheets?

30. Standard Bedmaking Techniques

31. Learning Objectives • 1. Describe the different techniques used to prepare a closed, opened, surgical, and occupied bed . • 2. Understand the infection control measures that are used during bedmaking. • 3. Demonstrate techniques of proper bedmaking, including making a closed bed, opening a bed, preparing a surgical bed, and making an occupied bed

32. Standard Bedmaking Techniques • Routine bedmaking is usually done in the morning, before visiting hours, while your patients or residents are bathing or dressing • How often the linens on a person’s bed are changed will vary according to the type of health care facility and the person’s needs • However, a person’s bed must be remade each time any of the linens become soiled or excessively wrinkled, regardless of the time of day • Change as many of the bed linens as necessary to ensure a clean, dry, wrinkle-free bed for your patient or resident

33. How to Make a Mitered Corner • Mitering is a way of folding and tucking the sheet so that it lies flat and neat against the mattress

34. Closed Bed • A closed bed is an empty bed • A bed that is unoccupied because the previous patient or resident has been discharged from the facility and a new patient or resident has yet to arrive is considered a closed bed • A bed that is unoccupied because the patient or resident is simply not in it at the moment (and is not expected back any time soon) is also considered a closed bed

35. Open Bed • When the top sheet, blanket, and bedspread of a closed bed are turned back, or fanfolded, the closed bed becomes an open bed, or a bed ready to receive a patient or resident. • The wheels of an open bed should always be loked and the bed should be in the lowest position

36. Surgical Bed • A surgical bed is a closed bed that has been opened to receive a patient or resident who will be arriving by stretcher

37. Occupied Bed • Some conditions make it difficult or impossible for a person to get out of bed for a linen change. When this is the case, it is necessary to change the linens while the person is still in the bed. This is called making an occupied bed

38. Guidelines for Bedmaking

39. Guidelines for Bedmaking

40. Guidelines for Bedmaking

41. Guidelines for Bedmaking

42. Guidelines for Bedmaking

43. Guidelines for Bedmaking

44. End of Presentation