IMPLEMENTATION
1. Assemble equipment and arrange on a bedside chair in the order in which items will be used.
2. Perform hand hygiene.
3. Adjust bed to high position and lower side rails.
4. Disconnect call bell or any tubes from bed linens.
5. Put on gloves if linens are soiled. Loosen all linen as you move around the bed, from the head of the
bed on the far side to the head of the bed on the near side.
6. Fold reusable linens, such as sheets, blankets, or spread, in place on the bed in fourths and hang them
over a clean chair.
7. Snugly roll all the soiled linen inside the bottom sheet and place directly into the laundry hamper. Do
not place on floor or furniture. Do not hold soiled linens against uniform.
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8. If possible, shift the mattress up to head of bed. If the mattress is soiled, clean and dry according to
facility policy before applying new sheets.
9. Remove your gloves. Place the bottom sheet with its centerfold in the center of the bed. Open the
sheet and fan-fold to the center.
10. Place the rubber sheet, then the drawsheet with its center fold in the center of the bed and
positioned so it will be located under the patient’s midsection. Open the drawsheet and fan-fold to the
center of the mattress. If a protective pad is used, place it over the drawsheet in the proper area and
open to the centerfold. Not all agencies use drawsheets routinely. The nurse may decide to use one.
11. Grasp the side edge of the sheet about 18” down from the mat-tress top. Lay the sheet on top of the
mattress to form a triangular, flat fold. Tuck the portion of the sheet that is hanging loose below the
mattress under the mattress without pulling on the triangular fold. Pick up the top of the triangle fold
and place it over the side of the mattress. Tuck this loose portion of the sheet under the mattress.
Continue tucking the remaining bottom sheet and drawsheet securely under the mattress.
12. Move to the other side of the bed to secure bottom linens. Pull the bottom sheet tightly and secure
over the corners at the head and foot of the mattress. Pull the rubber sheet, then the drawsheet tightly
and tuck it securely under the mattress.
13. Place the top sheet on the bed with its center fold in the center of the bed and with the hem even
with the head of the mattress. Unfold the top sheet.
14. Tuck the top sheet under the foot of the bed on the near side. Miter the corners.
15. Move to the other side of the bed and follow the same procedure for securing top sheets under the
foot of the bed and making a cuff.
16. Fan-fold or pie-fold the top linens.
17. Place the pillows on the bed. Open each pillowcase in the same manner as you opened the other
linens. Gather the pillowcase over one hand toward the closed end. Grasp the pillow with the hand
inside the pillowcase. Keep a firm hold on the top of the pillow and pull the cover onto the pillow.
Place the pillow at the head of the bed.
18. Secure the signal device on the bed according to agency policy.
19. Adjust bed to low position.
20. Dispose of soiled linen according to agency policy. Perform hand hygiene.