2. objectives
By the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:
Identify the aims of bed making
Identify the various appliances used for bed making
Follow the correct procedure for bed making.
3. Since most important parts of the environment
of a hospitalized patient is bed, bed making is
important to nurses
A clean bed that is wrinkle – free and remains
intact when a patient moves around does a
great deal for the patient’s physical and
psychological comfort
2/20/2024
4. Aims of Bed Making
Make the ward neat
Provide comfort to the patient
Save time and energy
Observe for and prevent pressure sores
Adapt the patient’s needs
2/20/2024
5. PRINCIPLES OF ASEPSIS IN BED MAKING
Micro – organisms move through space in air currents, therefore:
Handle linen carefully
Avoid throwing it on the floor to prevent spread of any micro –
organisms present either on the floor or linen
Avoid shaking or tossing it into the laundry hamper/ linen carrier
Micro – organisms are transferred from one surface to another on
contact, therefore:
Hold soiled linen and clean linen way from your uniform to prevent
contamination of either
Proper hand washing before you begin and after bed making
2/20/2024
6. BODY MECHANICS IN BED MAKING
When bending, bend your knees, not your back in
order to keep the center of gravity above and close to
the base of support and help prevent fatigue
Face your entire body in the direction that you are
moving to avoid twisting in order to prevent strain or
injury
Organize your work. Conserve your steps by making
a few trips around the bed as possible
2/20/2024
7. Special Appliances used in Bed Making
Special beds are used on many occasions for the
comfort of the patient, protection of bed linen,
prevention of pressure sores, facilitation of easier
putting of patients in bed and care of patients with
certain conditions
Extra appliances may be added to the requirements
for a simple bed in the preparation of special beds
2/20/2024
8. These appliances include:
Mackintosh
Water proof material used to protect the bottom sheets,
pillows and mattress from getting wet
Bed Cradle
Appliance used to keep the weight of the linen off the
patient e.g. in patient with burns to protect linen from
touching the area with wound
Bed Blocks
Made of wood and used to raise the bed on one side e.g. to
supply blood to vital organs like the brain
2/20/2024
9. Bed Rest/Back Rest
Help the patient sit in upright position. May be attached to or separate
from the bed and can be adjusted to different degrees
Fracture Boards
They are boards (wooden) placed under the mattress to provide a firm
rigid foundation to the bed and prevent the mattress from sagging. Aid in
immobilization on affected part of the body.
Sand Bags
Small bags made of impermeable material filled with sand. They are used
to support patients legs to prevent foot drop. May also be used to
immobilize a fractured limb
2/20/2024
10. Air – Rings
Rubber ring placed beneath the patient’s buttocks to keep them from direct contact with
the bed. Relieve pressure hence prevent pressure sores.
Bed Tables
Specially made tables which can be drawn up in front of the patient and may be used
during meals or for leaning slightly forward incase the patient has difficulty in breathing
Hot Water Bottles
Bottles of rubber used to give warmth to the patient. They may also be used to relieve
pain
2/20/2024
11. Foot Boards
Used to secure and support the patients foot
Water Beds
They are just like mattress though have a place to fill with hot water
Air Beds
These are mattresses that are filled with air
Ripple Mattresses
Have segments and uses electricity to put air pressure. Used to relieve pressure
2/20/2024
12. ASSIGNMENT
Read and make notes on the procedures of making the following types of beds
1. Occupied bed
2. Unoccupied bed (closed and open)
3. Admission bed
4. Post – operative bed
5. Fracture bed
6. Cardiac bed
7. Amputation bed
8. Divided bed
9. Tent bed
2/20/2024
13. There are two broad categories of beds:
1. Occupied Bed
This is a bed that is occupied by a client, in most cases by a bedridden patient or
critically ill patients
2. Unoccupied
This is a bed not occupied by patients
a) Closed: Made when preparing the unit and there is no patient assigned to it
b) Open: Made for a client who is not in the bed at that particular time. The top covers
are folded 1/3 from top to bottom to facilitate easy getting in.
2/20/2024
14. SPECIAL BEDS
1. Admission Bed
It is made like a simple bed with mackintosh, one of the
blankets/sheets/draw sheets placed over it and tucked in.
The top bed clothes are now put on and are individually
turned over but not tucked in.
The bed clothes at the side of bed nearest to the door are
folded over, leaving this side open to facilitate quick
admission
2/20/2024
15. Objectives
To have it made up in such a way that the patient can be admitted without delay
To allow for immediate admission to bed of acutely ill patients
Requirements:
2 Sheets
1 Draw sheet
Blankets
1 Bed cover
1 Draw mackintosh
Mattress and Mackintosh
Pillows and pillow covers
2/20/2024
16. 2. Post – Operative Bed
Objectives
To have a bed ready to receive a patient from the operating theatre
To counteract shock
To get the patient as quickly as possible
To protect linen from vomitus or saliva
To clear the mouth of saliva or any vomitus for which purpose a tray is prepared
2/20/2024
17. Extra requirements:
A vomitus bowl
Post – operative tray containing gauze swabs, air way, sponge holding forceps, metal
spatula, towel
Small extra mackintosh
Bed blocks
Drip stand
Observation chart
2/20/2024
18. 3. Fracture Bed
Fracture boards are placed on the frame of bed under the
mattress. The bed is then made up to suit the requirements of
the patient
Objective
To provide a firm base to prevent sagging of the mattress
Extra requirement:
A fracture board
2/20/2024
19. 4. Cardiac Bed
It is specifically made for patients who have failing heart and sometimes patients with
respiratory diseases where breathing is difficult since the patients are more
comfortable when sitting in extreme upright position.
The patient has to be kept warm since in heart failure the circulation is impaired and
the patient is liable to feel cold.
The patient should be comfortable
2/20/2024
20. Extra requirements:
A bed/ back rest
As many pillows as necessary for patient’s comfort
A bed table and a soft pillow
Air ring in a cotton cover
A foot rest
2/20/2024
21. 5. Amputation Bed
Objectives
To keep the weight of the top linen off the amputated limb
Extra requirements:
Dressing mackintosh
3 Dressing towels
2 Sand bags
Tourniquet
Bed cradle
Extra bed cover
2/20/2024
22. 6. Divided Bed
A bed made in two separate parts with a division in the center
Objectives
Examination of lower abdomen
Examination of the rectum or vagina
During catheterization
Dressing wounds of the perineal region
Treatment of fracture of femur
Note: Extra requirements like those of amputation bed except tourniquet,
3 dressing towels, 2 sandbags and dressing mackintosh
2/20/2024
23. 7. Tent Bed
They have an electrically powered fan that circulates cool air
and nebulized water particles inside a canopy which covers
the entire patient
Mostly used for infant and pediatric patients with dried
secretions especially those with laryngotracheobronchitis
(croup), bronchitis, bronchiolitis, inhalation burns and other
edematous airway processes
Can be used to give oxygen concentrations to approximately
50% if the canopy is well tucked under the mattress.
2/20/2024
24. Objectives
Provide continuous cool mist/ steam with oxygen if needed
In management of laryngeal, tracheal or bronchial edema
Help promote and improve cough mechanism
Hydrate dried secretions
2/20/2024
25. Notes:
Must have a working circulation unit. Malfunctions in this unit can cause
excessive heat and CO2 build up inside the tent canopy
Precautions for oxygen usage must be adhered to
Water reservoir must be monitored
Consistent O2 concentration can not be maintained if canopy is opened
frequently
Bed linen can become damp hence need to be monitored and changed
Large volume nebulizers are susceptible to contamination
Potential for electric shock or fire exists from electric fan or static
electricity from the plastic
2/20/2024
26. Extra requirements:
A complete pediatric mist tent with nebulizer unit, fan and drain
bottle
Mist tent canopy
High – pressure O2 hose, about 6 feet in length
O2 or air flow meter
Two liters of sterile water
Oxygen analyzer for monitoring O2
2/20/2024
