Comfort promotion: Handling linens and other bedmaking supplies

Linens need to be clean, dry, and wrinkle-free in order to prevent pressure ulcers, skin breakdown, and make the client comfortable.

When making the bed, you’ll work from the bottom to the top, so in that order, basic bedmaking supplies include a bottom sheet, draw sheet, bed protector, top sheet, blanket, bedspread, and pillowcase.

Let’s go over the basic supplies in the order they are applied. The bottom sheet can be fitted to wrap around and under the mattress, or it can be non-fitted, also known as flat.

The draw sheet is a flat sheet placed over the middle of the bottom sheet, so it covers the area from above the client’s shoulders to below their buttocks.

If a rubberized mattress is used, the draw sheet is an important moisture absorbing barrier between the client’s body and the mattress.

Sometimes, a rubberized draw sheet can also be used to protect the mattress from soiling. In that case, it should always be covered with a cotton draw sheet, so there is no direct contact between the client’s skin and the rubber.

A special type of draw sheet called a lift sheet is made by folding a flat sheet in half, and it’s used to lift or reposition a client.

Sometimes, you’ll need to use a bed protector, also known as an incontinence pad or soaker pad, which is a square of absorbent fabric backed with waterproof material and usually measures 3x3 feet.

It’s used for incontinent clients and clients with draining wounds so that urine, feces, and fluids from wounds don’t soil the rest of the linens.

The top sheet is a flat sheet placed over the draw sheet or the bed protector. Blankets are usually made of woven cotton, and they’re placed over the top sheet.

A bath blanket is a lightweight cotton blanket that can be used to provide privacy and warmth to the client during a linen change or a bed bath.

Bedspreads are used to cover all the previous layers. Along with the blanket, they can be used to mark the bed as open or occupied.

Pillows can be different sizes, made of different materials, and sometimes, covered with a waterproof layer.