Unoccupied, Open Bed Making

Subject: Fundamentals of Nursing

Overview

Unoccupied, Open Bed Making

The term open bed is used to design the hospital bed when it is about to be occupied either for a new patient or for an ambulatory patient. Open bed is made as usual and one corner of the linen is folded back to let the patient in. The top linen is fan folded to the foot end of the bed or to one side of the bed.

Purposes

  • To provide clean bed.
  • To maintain clean environment.
  • To reduce transmission of microorganisms.
  • To prevent and observe complication.
  • To provide comfort.
  • To ambulate the patient.

Procedures

S.N. Nursing Action Rationale
1

Assess the patient's general condition

Check for any limitation in physical activity.

Determines if the patient can be made to sit out of bed.
2

Explain to patient about the need of bed making and how he has to cooperate.

Determine if the client has been incontinent or if excess drainage is on linen, gloves will be necessary. Assess activity orders or restrictions in mobility in planning if client can get out of bed for procedure.

 Wins the patient's cooperation and confidence.
3

Lower side rails on both sides of bed and adjust the flat position to a comfortable height.

Assist the patient to get out of the bed.

Make the patient sit comfortably on a stool or chair.

Maintains body mechanics.

Keeping the bed in flat position enables to make a wrinkle free bed.
4 Remove wristwatch and ring. Wash hands. Prevents chance of cross infection.
5

Collect required articles and bring the articles to the bed side.

Arrange on a bed side table/chair in the order in which the items will be used.

Place the articles in a convenient place near the foot of the bed.

Keep hamper/laundry bag at the bedside.

 Ensures an organized approach towards carrying out procedure.
6 Close the door/curtain. Switch off the fan. Prevents spread of dust and microorganisms.
7 Wear gloves if necessary. Prevents chance of cross infection.
8 Move the chair and bed side locker in place. It makes space for bed making and make easy to work.
9 Stand on the right side of the bed.  
10

Remove the pillow and place it on the table or trolley.

Remove any personal items on the bed.

Loosen the linen from all sides.

Assess whether there is need for change of linen.

 Avoids loss of patient's belonging.
11 Remove the soiled linen and place in the laundry bag if they are not to be reused. Prevents chance of cross infection. 
12

If reusing linen

  • Remove the blanket from the foot end, dust, fold and place on the stool.
  • Remove towels, dust and place neatly on stool.
  • Take pillow, hold free end downwards, dust and place on the stool. If pillow case is dirty remove and discard into the hamper.
  • Fold top sheet on the bed itself into 4 folds. Hold both ends of sheet, shake gently into the hamper and place on the stool.
  • Remove draw sheet, dust it and four fold and place on the stool.
  • Clean mackintosh with the damp duster from head end to foot end, roll it and keep on the stool.
  • Fold the bottom sheet lengthwise with the head end of both sides touching and feet and on both sides touching into four folds.
 Prevents sheet from dragging on the floor. Folding lengthwise reduce risk of contamination from foot end to head end.
13 Place the mattress strait on the bed. Slide mattress to head of bed if it has slipped to the foot. Keeping the mattress in proper place enables to make a wrinkle free bed.
14 Clean the bed with damp duster and dry thoroughly. (As unoccupied closed bed making) Dusting and drying Maintains clean area to the patient and prevents spread of microorganisms.
15 Spread the bottom bed sheet, mackintosh, draw sheet and tuck them on your side. Pulling and tucking the sheet ensures a wrinkle free bed.
16

Go to other side and tighten bottom sheet, makintosh, draw sheet and make mitered corners at head and foot ends then tuck them. While tucking pull the sheets with both hands.

Spread the top sheet to the full length on the mattress and blanket over the top sheet.

Make the cuff by turning edge of top sheet down over top edge of blanket.

 Smooth cuff protect the patient's skin from irritation caused by the blanket.
17 Change the pillow case if needed and place pillows in the center at the head of the bed with free end facing away from the entrance of room or door.

Free end of pillow away from entrance gives neat appearance and prevents collection of dust.
18 Fold the top linen back to one side or fanfold at the bottom of the bed. Allows patient to the bed.
19 Adjust the bed, Lock the bed wheel. Prevents moving of bed.
20 Inquire about toileting needs of the client; assist if necessary (It saves client energy and provides time to care for client's needs.). Prevents moving of bed. Promotes comfort of patient.
21 Assist the client back into the bed and pull up the side rails, place call light in reach. Position the patient comfortably.  
22 Place the bed locker on working side of the bed. Clean inside and outside of the locker and arrange the patient's belongings neatly. Allows easy access for the patient.
23

Arrange the bed side table, and personal items within easy reach.

Remove extra equipment from the bedside.

  
24 Replace articles. Discard linen according to agency's policy.

Makes well setting for next use.

Prevents the spread of infection.
25 Wash hands.

Reduces risk of transmission of microorganisms.
26 Take vital signs. Determines the patient's condition.
27 Record the action and the client's response during the procedure and to sitting up in a chair. Provides accurate documentation.

Special Considerations

  • Before moving the patient, check their vital signs.
  • Any patient-used comfort item should be changed.
  • The patient has to be helped back into bed.
  • Used, contaminated items need to be cleaned, dried, and disinfected.
  • In accordance with hospital protocol, separate any linen that has been contaminated with feces, urine, or other bodily fluids before laundering.
Things to remember

© 2021 Saralmind. All Rights Reserved.