This document outlines the procedure for making an occupied bed, where the patient remains in the bed during linen changing. It defines an occupied bed and lists the purpose and necessary equipment. The key steps are to provide privacy, carefully turn the patient to avoid injury, change soiled linens one side at a time to prevent exposure, and ensure tubes and call devices are not tangled. Proper occupied bed making provides clean linens while minimizing disturbance to the confined patient.

1. Occupied
Bed Making
Procedure
Prof Nagamani.T

2. Definition
 An occupied bed is making the bed where the
patient physically available in the bed or the bed is
being retained for the patient.
 An occupied bed is made while the patient is still in
the bed. The patient may not be able to move him or
herself out of the bed.

3. Purpose of Occupied Bed Making
 To provide a neat and clean bed.
 To refresh the patient who is confined to the bed.
 To change the linen with the least possible
disturbance to the patient.
 To draw or fix the sheets under the patients very
firmly so that it would not wrinkle.
 To remove crumbs from the bed.
 To make the patient feel comfortable.

4. Equipment of Occupied Bed Making:
 Dusters-2
 Bed or cot,
 Mattress with cover,
 Bed sheet -2,
 Pillowcase -1 or 2,
 1 Protective sheet and cotton draw sheet,
 Mackintosh-1,
 Kidney tray with Paper bag,
 Chair/ stool -1,
 Bucket for soiled linen/ linen hamper-1
 Clean gloves- optional.

5. Points to Remember During Occupied
Bed Making
 Provide privacy for the patient.
 Carefully turn the patient to prevent over-exertion
and feeling insecure.
 Carefully observe the patient skin to identify any
signs of bedsore.
 If the patient wears glasses, ask for removing to
prevent breakage and injury.
 Ensure enough space for the patient to roll without
smacking nose on a side rail.
 Ensure the patient’s arm on the bed is not in an
awkward position when the patient is rolled.
 Ensure bed in a flat position and rise to an
appropriate working height.

6.  Remove patient’s personal items from bed and
disconnect call devices.
 Carefully checks that no tubes (such as IVS
pole, foley’s catheter, oxygen tube, gastric tube, NG
tube, drain) are entangled in the bed linens.
 Apply diaper’(optional) when a patient in the side
position.
 Do not place clean linen on another patient’s bed or
furniture.
 Keep side rails up when patient turn.
 Keep bed sheet smooth and wrinkles free to prevent
friction.

7.  Ask the patient to help if the patient can participate.
 Place all dirty linens in a laundry bag or hamper
without contaminating the uniform.
 Never put soiled linen on the floor or the other
surfaces.
 Return bed in a low and safe position and keep side
rails up.
 After occupied bed making, attaches call light within
the patient’s reach.
 Re-position bedside table and over bed table within
patient reach.

8. Procedure of Occupied Bed Making
 Two nurses must work together when the patent is
seriously ill or difficult to manage.
 Wash hands to prevent infection.
 Gather all equipment at the patient’s bedside and
explain the procedure to the patient.
 Provide privacy to the patient.
 Loosen the tucked linens on all sides and remove
the bed spread and blanket leaving the top shet over
the patient.
 Remove pillow unless contraindicated.
 Place the clean and dry top sheet over the dirty top
sheet and then remove the dirty linen one by one.

9.  Turn the patient on half of the bed on the other side of
the bed ( away from you) and keep side rails up.
 Place a pillow between the patient and side rails.
 Work on the unoccupied side of the bed and roll the
draw sheet, mackintosh, and bottom sheet if soiled.
 Rolls of fanfold the soiled linens toward the patient’s
back and tucks the roll slightly under the patient.
 Covers dirty and moist areas of the soiled linen with a
waterproof pad.
 Place clean bottom sheet and tuck head part and miter
the corner.

10.  Damp dust the mackintosh and roll it back.
 Place draw sheet over the mackintosh on the near
side of the mattress, with the center vertical fold at
the center of the bed.
 Place the patient on the clean side of the bed.
 Work on the other side and remove dirty linens.
 Make the other side of the bed and spread clean
linens.
 Tuck the head part of the bottom sheet, miter at the
side.
 Adjust the mackintosh and draw sheet, make it
wrinkle free and tuck it.
 Place the patient in the center of the bed.

11.  Place the pillow and make the patient comfortable.
 Spread the top sheet and fold the head part up to the
patient’s chest.
 Replace blanket and spread over the top sheet and
make the bed as open bed.
 Tuck the foot end giving enough space for
movement. ( Make a pleat in the sheet and blanket
across the foot end of the bed)
 If needed place a foot board or cradle at the foot end
of the bed.

12. After care
 Place the patient in a comfortable position.
 Tidy the room.
 Replace the articles in to its place.
 Discard or send the soiled linen to laundry as per the
hospital policies.
 Remove gloves and wash hands thoroughly.
 Record if any observations made during the
procedure eg., bed sore, redness, swelling etc.

13. Thank You