Keep wrinkles out of beds to decrease risks of bed or pressure sores. Never shake or fluff linens as this can spread particles.
Changing an Occupied Bed:
Supplies:
Towel
Fitted Sheet
Flat Sheet
Pillow Case
Steps:
Knock on patient’s door, then enter
Greet patient by name, introduce yourself, and what you are doing
Provide for privacy by shutting the curtains
Wash your hands and put on gloves
Check the patient’s ID to confirm identity
Gather linens and supplies and place on tray table covered with a towel
If the patient is sitting up, ask them if you can lay them down flat
Raise the bed to your waist level
Have the patient roll to the opposite side that you are on
When the patient rolls over adjust pillow to middle of their head.
Remove all dirty linens by rolling and tucking the sheets under the patient
Place the clean fitted sheet on working side of bed and get wrinkles out
Ask the patient to roll over towards you, gently help to scoot them towards you
Adjust pillow again to center of head
Do the same with the fitted sheet on opposite side, pulling the dirty sheets out from under with the clean sheets following
As you pull dirty linens off, place them in the dirty linens hamper
Unfold and place flat sheet over dirty sheet. Remember to unfold away from the patient’s face, so start at the top and unfold down
Ask the patient to hold top of clean sheet
Slowly pull and roll out dirty linen from under clean sheet, standing at the foot of the bed
Place dirty linens in hamper
Tuck flat sheet under the bottom of the mattress making hospital corners (see notes below)
Make sure there is room for foot movement by pinching the sheet above the feet and pulling up a little
Make sure not to shake the pillow as you change out the pillow case
To change the pillowcase, pull the old one off and put it in the dirty hamper
Turn the clean pillowcase inside out and stick your hand in it like a glove grabbing the pillow to pull the pillow through
Take off your gloves
Wash your hands
Place the call light in the patient’s hand and pull the curtain closed
Ask the patient how they would like their head of bed
Hospital Bedmaking Tips:
Every time you change sides put the safety rails up
Keep the patient covered at all times
To make hospital corners make sure to use excess sheet to fold into the mattress. Gently lift the corners of the mattress to tuck the fold sheet in. Monitor the patient as you lift the corners of the bed and make sure hand rails are on
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