BED MAKING

M.KALUBA
 GENERAL OBJECTIVE
 At the end of the lesson study should acquire knowledge
on bed making
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

 At the end of the lesson students should be able to ;

 Define bed making
 State the principles of bed making
 Describe the methods of bed making
 State the types of beds
INTRODUCTION

 Bed making is one of the important nursing techniques to prepare

various types of beds of bed for patients or clients to ensure comfort
and useful position for a particular condition. Nurses play an
inevitable role to ensure comfort and cleanness for an ill patient.
BED MAKING

 Bed making is defined as a technique in which different

types of beds are prepared to make a client or patient
comfortable according to the situation or procedures.
 PURPOSE
 To provide the patient or client with a safe and comfortable bed
to take rest and sleep
 To keep the ward neat and tidy
 To adapt to the needs of a client and to be ready for any
emergency or critical condition.
 To prevent pressure sores
 For treatment of certain conditions
PRINCIPLES OF BED MAKING

A Principle is an established rule of action which is to be

followed in a given situation. It serves as a guide to action.
The principles of bed making are as follows;
 Have everything ready before commencing.
 Strip the bed neatly – bed clothes and linen should not
touch the floor.
 Avoid flapping of bed clothes to minimize the risk of cross infection.
 Have a chair or bed stripper at the foot end of the bed for placing
bed linen and accessories on.
 Have the patient in a comfortable position for the procedure.
 Support the patient when necessary. One nurse supports the patient
while the other makes the bed.
 Strip bed from top to bottom.
 Turn the mattress from head to feet if patient is able to get out of
bed.
 Remove debris and wrinkles from the bed to prevent pressure
sore formation.
 Change sheets to ensure patient comfort if patient is sweating.
 Observe patient throughout the procedure.
 Shake pillow at each bed making.
 Call for help if necessary when moving heavy or very ill patients
 Don’t mix soiled linen with articles such as dentures as they will
get lost and damage laundry machine.

METHODS OF BEDMAKING

The method of bed making depends on the type of bed being

made. The foundation of the bed is the only part which is
the same for all the types of beds. The foundation is made
by spreading the bottom blanket first, followed by a bottom
bed sheet.
TYPES OF BEDS

 Empty bed
 Admission bed
 Occupied bed
 Divided bed
 Fracture bed
 Cardiac bed
 Post operative bed
 Cot bed
TYPES OF BED
 EMPTY BED (Unoccupied bed)
 This is the type of bed made upon discharge of the patient and is made in
readiness for the next patient.
 REQUIREMENTS
1. pillow case 4. draw sheets
2. sheets 5.counterpane
3. blankets.
METHOD OF MAKING AN EMPTY BED


1. Place blanket to create foundation.

2. Fix top sheet with mitred corners.
3. Open bottom sheet with right side uppermost and place evenly.
4. Fix the top sheet with mitred corners.
5. Tuck sheet and blanket to make firm foundation.
6. Place mackintosh where it will be under patients buttocks..
 7. Place draw sheet over mackintosh.
 8. Place the top sheet right side downwards with 30 – 40 cm half
way up the pillow.
 9. Tuck in top sheet with mitred corner.
 10. Place top blanket, tuck in and mitred corners at the foot end.
 11. Tuck the blanket at the edges.
 12. Open the counterpane and place centrally allowing sufficient
to tuck in and mitre corners at the bottom.
 13. Place pillow at the head; covering completely and
facing away from the door.
 14. Replace chair in the ward and align in proper position
OCCUPIED BED

 This is another type of a bed made for patients who are still in it.
 REQUIREMENTS
requirements for this type of the bed is as that of an empty bed.
 METHOD
1. Strip counterpane and blanket leaving patient covered in top sheet.
2. Remove pillow – place patient in supine position depending on
patient’s condition.
 3. Strip and replace bottom sheet; draw sheet and mackintosh either
side to side method or head to toe method. Mitre corners as required.
 4. Change top sheet by placing clean sheet on top of soiled sheet and
draw the soiled sheet out. Never expose the patient.
 5. Replace blanket and counterpane.
 6. Leave patient comfortable.
POST OPERATIVE BED
 This is a type of bed made ready for a patient who has undergone
surgery.
 requirements to make this type of the bed is just like the
Requirements for empty bed With modified requirements depending
on the type of surgery.




METHOD

 1. Place pillow on chair at the bed side or at the foot end.

 2. Make foundation as for empty bed.
 3. Place mackintosh and draw sheet at the head end and where the
patient’s buttocks will be.
 4. Place top sheet, blanket and counterpane without tucking in, and
fold in a pack to the centre of the bed.
DEVIDED BED

 This is the type of bed made for patients who have undergone
amputation of lower limbs, for selected fractures and for drying
of plaster of Paris. For one to make this type of a bed requires
the following;
REQUIREMENTS

 Two sets of bed clothes

 Mackintosh
 Covered sand bags
 Tourniquet
 Blanket
 Bed cradle
METHOD
 Make foundation as in ordinary bed.
 Place mackintosh and draw sheet.
 Wrap inside blanket loosely around patient.
 Place set of bed clothes in position over sound leg up to groin.
 Drape towel around the stump and fit with sand bags to prevent
involuntary movements.
 Place second set of bed clothes over the patient so that the
stump is exposed.
FRACTURE BED

This is the bed used in patients with fractures such as spine, pelvis
and lower limbs.
REQUIREMENTS
 Fracture board
 Sand bags
 Bed cradle
 Air ring
METHOD

 Place fracture board under the mattress to provide firm

support and prevent sagging.
 Place sand bags to immobilize the fracture.
 Place cradle and top beddings
ADMISSION BED
 Admission Bed is made mainly to receive newly admitted patient.
Requirements needed to make this type of bed are as that of an
empty bed.
 METHOD
 Make bed 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.
CARDIAC BED
 Used for patients with cardiac conditions, patients with dyspnoea,
asthmatic patients or patients with pneumonia. Patients who have
undergone abdominal operations or chest operations.
 REQUIREMENTS
 4-5 pillows
 Back rest
 Inside blanket
 Sand bags or foot rest
 Air ring
 Cardiac table
 Bed cradle
METHOD
 1. Make the foundation as for ordinary bed/empty bed
 2. Arrange inside blanket loosely
 3. Place sand bags at the foot end
 4. Position air ring on sacrum
 5. Place back rest and pillows to support patient
 6. Place cradle over the limbs.
 7. Make top of bed for ordinary bed.

BED ACCESORIES

 Bed Accessories are items found in a patients unit. Some of the

items are as follows;
 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. It is
normally high (at least 1 metre off the floor) to prevent
attendants from straining their backs when assisting the patient.
 Children are nursed in cot beds while patients who are in danger
or risk of falls are nursed with rails to prevent falls.
2.The mattress: Ideally hospital mattresses should be covered with
plastic to enable effective carbolization 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.


 4.Cardiac table: used for placing patients’ food during meals; it

can also be used for writing and for positioning patients with
breathing problems.


 5. Bed side locker: used it keep patients’ belongings. Lockers are

made of steel and painted white to make it easy for you to clean.


 6. Bed cradle: Used to raise bed linen from patients’ body

especially in burns or injuries of the chest.
 Bed cradle: Used to raise bed linen from patients’ body especially in
burns or injuries of the chest.


 7. Back rest: This is made of metal and is placed behind the patient’s
back with pillow so that the patient is in a sitting position. It is used
to patients with dyspnoea that is difficulties in breathing.


 8. Air Rings: It is a hollow rubber ring. It can be blown up to form a

cushion on which the client sits or sleeps to prevent pressure sore
 Fracture Board: They are usually made of wood or metal. These are
placed under the mattress to prevent sagging when a client has a
fracture, spinal injury.


 10. Sand bag: This is made of sand covered with durable material.
These are used to support or immobilize part of the body such as
fractured pelvis.


 11. Bed elevator: Made of metal or wood, you can use it to raise the
foot end of the bed.
 Other Bed Accessories
 Drip stand
 Walker
 Hot water bottle
 Pulleys
 Next topic: reception and needs of a client