Changing bed linen of the bedridden patient

Set of activities performed by the nursing staff to maintain the bed of the bedridden patient in hygienic and safe conditions for the patient.

Objective:

To perform the change of bed linen to provide well-being and hygiene to the bedridden patient.

Equipment:

– Pillows. – Blanket. – Blanket. – Waterproof pillow cover. – Waterproof mattress cover. – Fitted sheet. – Top sheet.

Material:

– Laundry bag. – Soaker. – Non-sterile gloves. – Nursing records.

Procedure:

– Perform hand washing. – Prepare the material and move it to the patient’s room. – Preserve the patient’s privacy. – Inform the patient. – Request the collaboration of the patient and family. – Maintain an adequate temperature 25-26º C. – Avoid drafts. – Protect the patient from falls. – Put on non-sterile gloves. – Place the bed in a horizontal position, if the patient tolerates it. – Perform hygiene of the bedridden patient. – Loosen bed linen. – Remove quilt and blanket, if soiled, put them in the laundry bag. – Leave the sheet on the top of the bed so as not to leave the patient uncovered. – Place the patient in lateral decubitus. – Roll the soiled sheet towards the center of the bed. – Place the clean fitted sheet by rolling it to the center of the bed and fixing the two corners. – Place the tuck-in and underpad, if necessary. – Turn the patient to the clean side, removing the soiled sheet, tuck-in sheet and underpad. Place the soiled linen in the bags intended for this purpose.

– Stretch the sheet and tuck-in sheet avoiding wrinkles, tuck them underneath the mattress and make folds in the two corners. – Spread the clean top sheet over the patient. – Place quilt and blanket, if necessary. – Fold the top of the sheet over the quilt. – Loosely tuck the top sheet and quilt at the foot of the bed to avoid decubitus and improper posture. – Remove the dirty cushion and replace it with a clean one. – Leave the patient in a comfortable position. – Collect material. – Remove gloves. – Wash hands. – Record in the nursing documentation: procedure, date and time, mo- tive, incidences and patient response.