How to Maintain the Bed in the Hospital

Hospital stays are difficult for the patient and for the loved ones caring for the patient. Unfamiliar procedures, routines and staff add to a sense of bewilderment. Maintaining the bed in the hospital doesn't need to be a confusing or complicated matter. Most hospitals have orderlies who routinely change the bedding, or you can request fresh bed linens from housekeeping staff and make the bed almost in the same way that you would at home.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Lysol or disinfectant spray
• Fresh pillowcase, fitted sheet, flat sheet, blankets
• Hamper
• Hospital bed

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Instructions

• 1

  Lock the wheels on the hospital bed once the patient is away and move the call button/cord out of your way for the time being. Most hospital bed wheels lock by depressing a lever with your foot. There are usually instructions with illustrations on the side or beneath the bed.

• 2

  Put on the rubber gloves to protect your skin from urine, vomit, etc that may be present on the soiled bed linens and bed.

• 3

  Remove the soiled pillowcase, bed linens and blankets by pulling them from the bed and rolling them to contain any debris. Place the soiled linens in a hamper, usually located inside of the individual hospital room or out in the hall in a central location. If you cannot locate a hamper, call for a nurse.

• 4

  Spray the plastic-coated pillow and bed mattress with Lysol or a similar disinfectant spray if body fluids have penetrated through the bed linens. Do not dry off the disinfectant with a towel. Allow the disinfectant to air dry on the mattress and pillow.

• 5

  Place the elastic corner of the fitted sheet onto one corner of the hospital bed mattress and stretch the sheet and other elastic corners to fit securely over the other three bed corners.

• 6

  Place the flat sheet on the bed and tuck the sides under the mattress. Place the blankets or clean bedspread onto the bed and tuck the excess sides of the blanket under the mattress.

• 7

  Replace the call button cord by looping it loosely around the bed rail within reach for the patient. Usually you want to place the call button beside whichever hand is dominant for the patient unless something such as surgery, etc prohibits the patient from using that hand. Turn back the sheet/blankets for the patient's ease in getting back into the bed.