Nursing Fundamentals: Bed Making and Patient Comfort

Bed Making

• Bed making is the technique of preparing different types of beds to make patients/clients comfortable in their suitable position for a particular condition.

Terminologies

• Fanfold: folding the edge of the sheet 6-8 inches outward, specifically done by grasping the upper edge of the linen with both hands.
• Mitered corner: a method of folding the bed clothes at the corners to secure them in place while the bed is occupied.
• Toe pleat: a fold made in the top bed clothes to provide additional space for the patient's toes.
• Foot drop: dropping of the foot from paralysis of the anterior muscle of the leg; plantar flexion of the foot with permanent contracture of the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle and tendon.
• Bed cradle: a device designed to keep the top bedclothes off the feet, legs, and even abdomen of a client.

Purpose of Bed Making

• On changing an unoccupied bed: to promote the client's comfort, provide a clean near environment, and provide a smooth, wrinkle-free bed foundation.
• On changing an occupied bed: to conserve the client's energy and maintain current healthy status.

Importance of Bed Making

• Helps maintain a clean, orderly, and comfortable room, contributing to the patient's sense of well-being.
• Helps the patient secure proper rest and comfort, essential for health and refreshment.
• Prevents or avoids microorganisms from coming into contact with the patient, which could cause tribulations.
• Minimizes sources of skin irritation by providing smooth, wrinkle-free bed foundation.

Types of Bed

• Occupied Bed: made when the patient is not able or not permitted to get out of the bed, ensuring smooth and tight sheets under the patient.
• Unoccupied Bed: made when there is no patient confined in bed.
• Open Bed: top covers are folded back, allowing easy transfer of the client from a stretcher to the bed.
• Closed Bed: top sheet, blankets, and bedspreads are drawn up to the head of the mattress and under the pillows.
• Cradle Bed: contains a device for holding the top covers off the patient.

Special Types of Bed

• Water Bed: special mattress filled with water, controlling temperature and reducing pressure on body parts, indicated for patients confined to bed for long periods.
• Turning Frames (Stryker Wedge): allows repeated changes between supine and prone positions without disturbing spinal alignment, indicated for complications of immobility.
• Circolectric Bed: permits frequent turning of injured or immobilized patients with minimal trauma or extraneous movement, helping prevent and treat pressure ulcers, respiratory and circulatory complications.
• Rotation Bed: promotes postural drainage, peristalsis, and helps prevent complications of mobility, indicated for patients with spinal cord injury or severe burns.
• Clinton Therapy Bed (Air-Fluidized Bed): indicated for patients with managing burns and various disabilities.
• Air Therapy Bed: provides different levels of support to different body parts, indicated for patients at risk of skin breakdown.