BED MAKING

Mrs LC Mukonda
BSC/RNM

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 BED MAKING

PRINCIPLES OF BED MAKING

• Before looking at the principle you need to
know what a principle is.
• A Principle is an established rule of action
which is to be followed in a given situation.
• It serves as a guide to action.

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 BED MAKING
• You need to be conscious about Cross
Infection which is the transfer of micro-
organisms from one individual to another or
one surface to another.

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 BED MAKING

• Previously when we looked at the patient’s

unit, it was mentioned that the bed is found in
the patient’s unit and it goes with other bed
accessories which we will discuss in this unit.

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 BED MAKING

1. THE BED:
• Usually made of steel and painted white.
• It is movable and has levers to raise or lower the
head or foot end.
The standard hospital bed usually is:
• Made of metal (tubular steel) because metal is
durable and easily cleaned.
• 1.9m (2M) long, 66cm high (from the floor) and
90cm (0.9m) wide.

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 BED MAKING
• The height of the bed is such that physicians and
nurses may have convenient access to the patient
without undue fatigue and strain.
• There are wheels for free movement, but the end
of the bed rests rubber feet, the wheels are only
lowered when the bed is to be moved.
• The bed should move easily, but be capable of
complete immobilization, so that patients lean
against it.
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 BED MAKING
• You can use Cots for children; while you can
use beds with side rails for patients in danger
of falling from the bed.
• Ensure that Beds are 1.5 – 2 metres apart on
the ward.

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 BED MAKING
2. THE MATTRESS: Ideally hospital mattresses
should be covered with plastic to enable effective
washing and avoid soiling.
• The mattress should be thick to ensure good
body alignment.
3. BED LINEN: There should be an under blanket
that forms the foundation of the bed.
• Then there is a bottom sheet, mackintosh and
draw sheet, top sheet, blanket and counterpane.
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 BED MAKING

• The aim of bed making is to make the patient

comfortable and leave him/her relaxed and
provides an opportunity for communication
with the patients.

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 BED MAKING

Before and during bed making ensure that you:

i) Explain procedure to the patient and get
patients consent.
ii) Collect all required items.
iii) Always wash hands before and after the
procedure to prevent cross infection.
iv) Interact with the patient during the procedure.
v) Practice hospital economy.

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 PURPOSE OF BED MAKING

Bed making is performed to:

• Provide comfort for the client.
• Provide and maintain a hygienic and clean
environment.
• Reduce transmission of microorganisms.
• Stimulate and refresh the client.

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 IMPORTANCE OF BED MAKING
• Bed making is an important responsibility of a
nurse. A well made bed is the ideal place for
securing rest and sleep.
• Rest and sleep are the two essential factors in
the treatment of illness; therefore the
patient’s bed is an important piece of
equipment.

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 IMPORTANCE OF BED MAKING
• Beds are of great importance because all hospital
patients spend part or three quarters of their
time in bed while some are totally confined to it.
• The bed should therefore be comfortable, safe
and adaptable to suit patients required position
or condition.
• For this reason, the bed requires frequent
inspection to ensure linen is clean, dry and
wrinkle free.
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 INDICATIONS OF BED MAKING
• Daily routine
• After and death of a client
• After discharge of client

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 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BED MAKING

1. Have everything ready before commencing,

Avoid unnecessary trips to the linen room, gather
all linen before starting up to strip the bed
2. Strip the bed neatly – bed clothes and linen
should not touch the floor.
3. Avoid flapping of bed clothes to minimize the
risk of cross infection.
4. Have a chair at the foot end of the bed for
placing bed linen and accessories on.
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GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BED
MAKING
5. Have the patient in a comfortable position for
the procedure.
6. Support the patient when necessary. One
nurse supports the patient while the other
make the bed.
7. Strip bed from top to bottom.

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 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BED MAKING

8. Turn the mattress from head to feet if patient

is able to get out of bed.
9. Remove debris and wrinkles from the bed to
prevent pressure sore formation.
10. Change sheets to ensure patient’s comfort if
patient is sweating.
11. Observe patient throughout the procedure.

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 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BED MAKING

12. Allow room for patient’s feet when replacing

the bed covers.
13. Call for help if necessary when moving heavy
or very ill patients.
14. Do not expose the client to maintain privacy.

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GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BED MAKING

15. Use correct body mechanics when lifting the

client.
16. Procedure is best done by two nurses.
17. Do not cover patients face while placing top
linen on the bed.
18. Do not mix clean linen with that which is
soiled.
19. Linen should not touch nurse’s uniform.
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GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BED
MAKING
20. Linen from one client is never placed on
another clients bed to prevent cross infection
21. Place soiled linen directly in a portable linen
hamper
22. When making a bed, conserve time and
energy by making one side as much as
possible before touching the other side.

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GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BED
MAKING
23. sheets, blankets and bed spreads are mitred
at the corners of the bed.
This purpose of metering is to secure the bed
linen while the bed is occupied

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GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BED
MAKING
NOTE: While making an occupied bed, the nurse
has many opportunities for information
education and communication (IEC).
The bath and bed making, provide the longest
period during the day in which the nurse is
with the patient- use the opportunity for IEC

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 TYPES OF BEDS

• There are different types of beds according to

their uses and conditions of the patient.
Type’s beds;
• Empty bed (Unoccupied bed)
• Admission bed
• Occupied bed
• Unoccupied bed or closed bed

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 TYPES OF BEDS
• Divided bed/Amputation bed/plaster bed
• Cardiac bed
• Fracture bed
• Post-operative bed
• Cot bed

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 TYPES OF BEDS

1. EMPTY BED (UNOCCUPIED)

• This is the bed you make - upon discharge of
the patient and you make it in readiness for
the next patient.
Indications
• After discharge of client.
• After transfer and death of client
• Daily routine procedures
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 EMPTY BED
Requirements
For you to make this type of a bed you require
the following:
• Mattress in water proof cover
• 2 Pillows in water proof cover
• Under blanket
• Pillow cases

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 EMPTY BED
• Draw mackintoshes
• 2 bed sheets
• 2 blankets
• Draw sheets
• Counterpanes.

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 EMPTY BED
• Method:
• Wash hands and dry them
• Prepare necessary equipment
• Strip the top bedding and put on a chair or
into the linen bin if dirty
• Turn mattress over and straighten cover if
necessary

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 EMPTY BED
• Place bottom blanket on mattress, tuck at the
bottom and mitre corners
• Open bottom sheet with right side uppermost
and place evenly on bed.
• Fix the top with mitred hospital corners. Fix
bottom pulling tight with mitred hospital
corners
• Tuck in sides to make firm foundation.

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 EMPTY BED
• Place draw mackintosh to come under
patient’s buttocks.
• Place and tuck cotton draw sheet to cover
the mackintosh completely.
• Place the top sheet, right side downwards
with 20 – 40 cm fold away from the pillow,
and the remainder at the bottom tucked in
with mitred corner.

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 EMPTY BED
• Open the counterpane and place centrally
allowing sufficient to tuck in and mitre corners
at the bottom. See that it hangs neatly
• Place pillows at head of bed with the open
end facing away from the entrance.
• Replace chair and locker and align the bed
• Clear away equipment
• Wash and dry hands
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 ADMISSION BED
Indications, requirements as for empty bed
• You can make an admission bed mainly to receive
newly admitted patient.
Method:
• Follow steps 1-4 as for empty bed
• Turn down 30 – 40 cm top sheet, blanket and
counterpane.
• When patient arrives place him in bed and cover
for warmth.

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2. OCCUPIED BED (bed ridden patient)
side to side or top to bottom
• It is the bed you make with patient occupying
it.
• Objectives
• To provide a comfortable bed for the patient
• To change the soiled bed linen
• What you require to make this type of the bed
is just like the Requirements for empty bed

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 POST – OPERATIVE BED

• This is another type of a bed you can make.

• This is a bed made ready for a patient who
has undergone surgery.

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 POST – OPERATIVE BED

As for occupied bed. In addition;

• Observation chart (TPR chart) and BP
• Drip stand
• Vital signs tray
• Bed elevator
• Vomitus bowl
• Oxygen cylinder
• Suction machine
• Tongue depressor

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 DIVIDED BED
Indications
• Drying plaster of Paris
• Client on traction
• Client with amputation
• Client with burns
• Examination of perineal area to ensure
• Easy observations of the limbs

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 FRACTURE BED

Indications:
 patients with fractures such as spine, pelvis
and lower limbs.
 PRINCIPLE:
 To provide firm base with support for clients
with fractures in addition to the basic
requirements for an empty bed

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 FRACTURE BED

Indications
• Clients with fracture of the spine, pelvis and
lower limb
• Client with head injury
Requirements as for an empty bed plus:
• Fracture board
• Sand bags
• Bed cradle
• Air ring
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 PLASTER BED

• This is the bed you can make for drying wet

plaster of Paris (POP).
• In addition to the requirement in making
fracture bed you add a mackintosh.
• You can prepare a plaster bed just like the
way you prepare a fracture bed but ensure
that you:
• Cover patient with inside blanket leaving
plaster exposed.
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 PLASTER BED
• Put a bed cradle over the pt and make the
bed in a usual way.
• Turn back the lower end of the bed clothes to
the edge of the cradle.
• The long mackintosh is put under the limbs
when necessary to protect the bottom
beddings

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 CARDIAC BED
A cardiac bed is arranged in such a way that the
patient is kept in a sitting position on the bed
with the help of pillows and a cardiac table.
INDICATIONS
• Cardiac conditions,
• Severe dyspnoea in Asthmatic patients or
patients with pneumonia.
• Patients who have undergone abdominal
operations or chest operations.
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 CARDIAC BED
• For you to make this type of a bed you require
the following:
• 4-5 pillows
• Back rest
• Inside blanket
• Sand bags or foot rest

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 CARDIAC BED
• Place back rest and pillows to support pt
• Place cradle over the limbs.
• Make top of bed for ordinary bed.

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 COT BED
• Made same way as other types of beds
• Counterpane is tucked inside
• During day time, mackintosh and draw sheet
are often put on top of the ready made cot, to
allow child freedom to play.

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 BED ACCESSORIES
• Bed accessories are equipment's used in
making special type of beds and used for
offering care to patients in bed.

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 BED ACCESSORIES
1. CARDIAC TABLE: these are made of wood.
• You can use it for placing patients food during
meals; so that he or she can eat properly.
• You can also use it for positioning patients with
breathing problems to lean on, especially when
experiencing difficulties in breathing e. g.
Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF) and other
conditions like pneumonia to aid in breathing by
fixing the shoulder girdle by resting the elbows
on the table to assist breathing.
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 BED ACCESSORIES
2. BED SIDE LOCKER: Lockers are made of steel
and painted white to make it easy to clean.
• Have compartments inside them.
• Patient’s belongings are stored inside lockers

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 BED ACCESSORIES
3. BED CRADLE: made of metal used to lift
weight of the linen from the body.
• Used to raise bed linen from patients’
body especially in burns or injuries of the
chest.

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 BED ACCESSORIES
4. BACK REST: This is made of metal and is
placed behind the patient’s back with pillow
so that the patients is in a sitting position.
• You can use it to patients with dyspnoea that
is difficulties in breathing.
• Helps to support the client.
• They are often part of the head of the bed
and can be adjusted as required or they may
be portable.
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 OTHER BED ACCESSORIES

5. SAND BAG– these are made of sand covered

with soft durable material. These are used to
support or immobilize part of the body such
as fractured limbs or amputated limbs.

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 BED ACCESSORIES

6. AIR RING– it is a hollow rubber ring fixed with

value.
• These are blown up to form a cushion on which
the client sits to prevent pressure sores at the
lower part of the back.
• Rings with spongy rubber may also be used.
Pressure sores are decubitous ulcers or bed sores
ulceration of the skin due to pressure which
causes interference of blood supply to the area.
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 BED ACCESSORIES

7. FRACTURE BOARD– usually made of wood or

mental.
• These are placed under the mattress to
prevent shagging when a client is in a plastic
splint or needs firm support after spinal cord
injuries or operation.

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 BED ACCESSORIES
8. DRIP STAND/INTRAVENOUS RODS

• It is a stand which is used to hang drips in order to let

infusion like blood or intravenous fluids into the veins.
• The fluid flows from a suspended bottle through a tube
ending in a hollow needle inserted into the patient.
• Intravenous rods were traditionally free standing on the
floor beside the beds.
• Now, they are often attached to hospital beds and
some hospitals even have overhead hanging rods for
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 BED ACCESSORIES
9. FOOT BOARD
• This is a most efficient device for foot support.
• They are used to maintain the correct position
of the patient’s feet by providing a firm
surface against which the feet can be pushed.
• A pillow is placed between the patient’s feet
and the foot board, for greater comfort.
• The use of foot boards is aimed at preventing
foot drop.
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 SUMMARY
• We discussed that you need to make beds of
patients so that patients are comfortable
• We have also discussed different types of beds
such as an occupied bed where you need to
make the bed while the patient is still in bed
because we don’t expect some patients to go out
of bed for you to bed make.
• Other types of beds are divided beds which you
can make for patients with burns, plaster bed –
which you can make when drying the cast.
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