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Bedmaking and Unit Care

5. Describe a standard resident unit and equipment
REMEMBER:
Residents’ units are their homes and residents have a right to
privacy. You must always knock and wait for permission before
entering a resident’s room.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
5. Describe a standard resident unit and equipment
Think about this question:
Why should residents’ personal items always be respected and
handled carefully? How would it feel to have someone handling
your personal belongings?
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
5. Describe a standard resident unit and equipment
Here is a list of some of the standard equipment that is found in
residents’ rooms:
• Bed
• Bedside stand
• Overbed table
• Chair
• Bath basin
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
5. Describe a standard resident unit and equipment
Standard equipment found in residents’ rooms (cont’d.):
• Emesis basin
• Bedpan
• Urinal for males
• Water pitcher and cup
• Privacy screen or curtain
• Call light
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
5. Describe a standard resident unit and equipment
These items are usually stored in the bedside stand:
• Emesis basins
• Bath basins
• Urinals
• Bedpans
• Soap
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Combs and brushes
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
5. Describe a standard resident unit and equipment
Think about this question:
Personal articles are usually kept in the top drawer. Why must
they must be kept separate from basins, urinals, and bedpans?
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
5. Describe a standard resident unit and equipment
REMEMBER:
The overbed table is used for meals and personal care, and it
must be kept clean. Bedpans, urinals, and soiled linen should
never be placed on it. It should be kept free of clutter.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
6. Explain how to clean a resident unit and equipment
Define the following term:
disposable
only to be used once and then discarded.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
6. Explain how to clean a resident unit and equipment
Disposable equipment is used to prevent the spread of
microorganisms. Know the types of disposable equipment found
in facilities:
• Cups
• Tissues
• Gloves
• Paper gowns
• Masks
• Disposable razors
• Pads
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
6. Explain how to clean a resident unit and equipment
Remember these guidelines for residents’ units:
• Keep residents’ units neat and clean.
• Keep call lights within resident’s reach.
• Straighten bed linens and remove crumbs before leaving the
room.
• Re-stock resident supplies daily.
• Notify housekeeping department if bathroom needs cleaning.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
6. Explain how to clean a resident unit and equipment
Guidelines for residents’ units (cont’d.):
• Check equipment to make sure it is working and not
damaged.
• Refill water pitchers regularly.
• Remove anything that might cause odor or safety hazards.
• Report signs of insects or pests immediately.
• Leave residents’ personal items where you found them.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
6. Explain how to clean a resident unit and equipment
Remember these guidelines for cleaning a unit after a transfer,
discharge, or death:
• Wash hands.
• Wear gloves and proper PPE.
• Remove and dispose of equipment and supplies carefully.
• Raise bed to safe working level and remove soiled linen.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
6. Explain how to clean a resident unit and equipment
Guidelines for cleaning a unit after a transfer, discharge, or
death (cont’d.):
• Make sure area is well-ventilated when using strong cleaning
solutions.
• Write repair orders for damaged or broken furniture.
• Remove PPE and wash hands.
• Place new equipment and supplies in room for new resident.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
7. Discuss types of beds and demonstrate proper bedmaking
Proper bedmaking is important for a number of reasons:
• The resident will spend a great deal of time in bed.
• Neat, well-made beds help the resident sleep better.
• Careful bedmaking prevents infection.
• A clean, neat, and dry bed helps prevent skin breakdown and
odors and promotes good health.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
7. Discuss types of beds and demonstrate proper bedmaking
Know the different kinds of beds and features that may be found
in a facility:
• Electric beds
• Beds with built-in weight scales
• Alternating pressure mattresses
• Bariatric beds
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
7. Discuss types of beds and demonstrate proper bedmaking
REMEMBER:
Beds should remain locked in their lowest positions whenever
residents are in the beds.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
7. Discuss types of beds and demonstrate proper bedmaking
Remember these guidelines for bedmaking:
• Change bed linens when they are wet, soiled, or wrinkled.
• Wash hands and use proper infection prevention methods.
Wear gloves when removing soiled linens.
• Gather linen in order of placement on the bed.
• Carry clean linen away from uniform.
• Bring linen into one resident’s room at a time.
• Never transfer linen from one room to another.
• Place clean linen on a facility-approved spot.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
7. Discuss types of beds and demonstrate proper bedmaking
Guidelines for bedmaking (cont’d.):
• Use proper body mechanics.
• Look for personal items.
• Roll dirty linen away from you.
• Do not shake linen.
• Place used linen in proper container.
• Make one side of bed first to save energy.
• Keep beds free of wrinkles and crumbs.
• Wash hands after handling linens.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
7. Discuss types of beds and demonstrate proper bedmaking
There are four basic types of beds: closed, open, occupied,
and surgical (also called postoperative, post-op, recovery,
gurney, or stretcher bed).
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
7. Discuss types of beds and demonstrate proper bedmaking
Define the following terms:
closed bed
bed completely made with the bedspread and blankets in place.
open bed
bed made with linen folded down to the foot of the bed.
draw sheet
an extra sheet placed on top of the bottom sheet; used for
moving residents.
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Bedmaking and Unit Care
7. Discuss types of beds and demonstrate proper bedmaking
Define the following terms:
occupied bed
a bed made while the person is in the bed.
unoccupied bed
a bed made while no person is in the bed.
surgical bed
bed made so that a person can easily move onto it from a
stretcher.
Making a closed bed

Equipment: clean linen—

mattress pad, fitted or flat
bottom sheet, waterproof bed
protector if needed, cotton draw
sheet, flat top sheet,
blanket(s), bedspread (if used),
pillowcase(s), gloves
1. Wash your hands.
2. If resident is in the room,
identify yourself by name.
Identify the resident. Greet
the resident by name.
3. Explain procedure to the
resident. Speak clearly,
slowly, and directly.
Maintain face-to-face
contact whenever possible.
Making a closed bed

4. Place clean linen on clean

surface within reach (e.g.,
bedside stand, overbed
table, or chair).
5. Adjust bed to safe working
level, usually waist high.
Put bed in flattest
position. Lock bed wheels.
6. Put on gloves.
7. Loosen soiled linen and
roll soiled linen (soiled
side inside) from head to
foot of bed. Avoid contact
with your skin or clothes.
Place it in a hamper or
linen bag. Do not place on
overbed table, chair, or
floor.
Making a closed bed

8. Remove and discard

gloves. Wash your
hands.
9. Remake the bed. Place
the mattress pad (if
used) on the bed,
attaching elastic at
corners as necessary.
Making a closed bed

10. Place bottom sheet on

bed without shaking
linen. If using a flat
sheet with seams, this
sheet must be placed
with the crease in the
center of the mattress.
The seams on both ends
must be placed down. If
using a fitted bottom
sheet, place right-side
up and tightly pull over
all four corners of the
bed.
Making a closed bed

11. Make hospital, or

mitered, corners to keep
bottom sheet wrinkle-
free.
12. Put on waterproof bed
protector and then the
draw sheet, if used.
Place them in the center
of the bed on the bottom
sheet. Smooth, and
tightly tuck the bottom
sheet and draw sheet
together under the sides
of bed. Move from the
head of the bed to the
foot of the bed.
13. Place the top sheet over
the bed and center it.
The seam must be up.
Making a closed bed

14. Place blanket over the

bed and center it.
15. Place the bedspread
over the bed and center
it.
16. Tuck top sheet and
blanket under the foot of
the bed and make
hospital corners.
17. Fold down the top sheet
to make a cuff of about
six inches over the
blanket.
Making a closed bed

18. Take a pillow, and with

one hand, grasp the
clean pillowcase at the
closed end. Turn it inside
out over your arm. Next,
using the hand that has
the pillowcase over it,
grasp the one narrow
edge of the pillow. Pull
the pillowcase over it
with your free hand. Do
the same for any other
pillows. Place them at
the head of the bed with
open end away from the
door. Make sure zippers
or tags are on the inside.
Making a closed bed

19. Return bed to lowest

position.
20. Leave call light within
resident’s reach.
21. Wash your hands.
22. Take laundry bag or
hamper to proper area.
23. Document procedure
using facility guidelines.