How should the nurse open the bottom sheet when making an unoccupied bed?

Bed making is a necessary skill for nursing assistants to keep the environment clean, prevent skin breakdown and the spread of infection, and respect the resident’s dignity by providing an orderly environment. Linens should be changed at least weekly or whenever they become soiled.

Follow these infection control guidelines when making beds:

• Never allow linens to touch your uniform.
• Do not transfer linens from one room to another.
• Do not place soiled linens on the floor.
• If linens touch the floor, they should be placed in the soiled laundry for cleaning and not used.
• Do not shake linens because it can spread airborne pathogens.
• Store clean linens in a closed closet or a covered cart.

Making an Unoccupied Bed Checklist

1. Gather Supplies: Linens

2. Routine Pre-Procedure Steps:

• • Knock on the client’s door.
  • Perform hand hygiene.
  • Introduce yourself and identify the resident.
  • Maintain respectful, courteous, and professional communication at all times.
  • Provide for privacy.
  • Explain the procedure to the client.

3. Procedure Steps:

• • Place a clean barrier on a flat surface. Flip the linens over and place them on the barrier so the fitted sheet is on top.
  • Don gloves.
  • Look for any personal belongings that may have been left in the bed and return them to their proper place.
  • Untuck the corners and roll all linens together to the middle of the bed.
  • Place soiled linens in a linen bag or other appropriate container according to facility policy.
  • Remove gloves.
  • Perform hand hygiene.
  • If the bed is soiled, sanitize it or notify environmental services to sanitize it.
  • After the bed has dried from sanitization, place the fitted sheet on the bed. Seams should be against the mattress and away from the resident. Smooth the sheet to prevent wrinkles that can cause injury to fragile skin. (Note: If a flat sheet is used as the bottom sheet, refer to sub-bullets below for details on making mitered corners.)
  • Place the lift sheet where it is estimated the resident’s shoulders to hips will be when they are in bed.
  • Place a soaker pad or other waterproof barrier on top of the lift sheet.
  • Place the flat sheet on top and smooth it out. Make mitered corners at the foot of the bed by doing the following:
    • Tuck the entire end of the sheet under the foot of the bed.
    • While facing the foot of the bed, create a 45-degree angle from the corner of the bed with the sheet.
    • Place the angled edge of the sheet on top of the bed and tuck in anything hanging below the bed frame.
    • Lower the angled sheet back over the edge of the bed.

• • Place a bedspread or blanket on top of the sheet per the resident’s preference. Make a mitered corner in the bedspread or blanket by performing the steps above.
  • Lay a pillow on the bed and slide the pillowcase over the pillow.
  • Put the pillow at the head of the bed with the open end of the pillowcase faced away from the door. Repeat for multiple pillows.

4. Post-Procedure Steps:

• • Perform hand hygiene.
  • Check on resident comfort and ask if anything else is needed.
  • Ensure the bed is low and locked. Check the brakes.
  • Place the call light or signaling device within reach of the resident.
  • Open the door and privacy curtain.
  • Perform hand hygiene.
  • Report abnormal findings to the nurse.

View the following YouTube video on Making an Unoccupied Bed.

Today we shall start our lesson by looking at simple occupied bed, a continuation of the last lesson.

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define simple unoccupied bed.
2. metiontion and collect all the requirement needed for making simple unoccupied bed.
3. do a return demonstration on simple unoccupied bed.

Lesson Content

It is a type of hospital bed that does not have a patient in it.

Requirements

A trolley with the following

• Two large cotton sheets
• One water proof draw mackintosh (if necessary)
• One draw sheet (if necessary)
• One or two pillows
• Pillow stips/covers
• One blanket optional
• One bed cover or counterpane

Procedure/steps

1. The above articles should be collected and put over two chairs placed back to back at the bottom of the bed. It is helpful to palace the linen in order which it is required.
2. Place long mackintosh on mattress if necessary.
3. Place bottom sheet evenly on the bed.
4. Tuck the sheets under the mattress using enveloped carners, starting from top.
5. Pull sheet tight so that there are no creases.
6. Place a draw mackintosh (if necessary) across the bed with the upper corner under the edge of the pillow.
7. Cover mackintosh with draw sheets and tuck it in.
8. Place the pillows on the bed so that the open ends of the slip are away from the door.
9. Place top sheet on with the wrong side uppermost.
10. Fold over about twenty inches of the sheet at the top.
11. The sheet is loosely tucked in at the bottom to prevent restriction of feet.
12. Place the bed cover or counterpane loosely over the sheet.
13. Tuck in at the bottom end under the mattress using envelop carners.
14. Fold top sheet over the counterpane with all the sides tucked under the mattress
15. After bed making the nurse must make sure that all the locker (bedside) and the two chairs used have been replaced in their proper positions.
16. Remove trolleys.

We have learnt about the definition of simple unoccupied bed, the requirements neede for making a simple unoccupied bed and the procedure for making a simple unoccupied bed.

What is the best way to remove the bottom linens when making an occupied bed?

When making an unoccupied bed where would the nurse place the rubber sheet?

Which action by the nurse would be appropriate when making an unoccupied bed?