Postoperative Bed Making is exactly what it sounds like, yes, this is where the nurses prepare a bed for the patient who has just come out of surgery, and a postoperative bed is where to not only receive but take care of the patient during the recovery period. Though, it is not like a regular bed setup where you have just a mattress, a few linens, a few pillows, and that’s it. Nah! It is way more than that. Today, we are about to show you what’s the purpose as well as the procedure of postoperative bed making in nursing, so if that’s what you are here for, just keep on reading.

Purpose of Postoperative Bed Making

Sure, postoperative bed-making is important for several reasons, so, let’s go over just that, shall we?

• Infection Control: First of all, as you may already know, the body is in a vulnerable state after surgery, making patients more susceptible to infections. And sure, a clean and properly made bed helps reduce the risk of infections by minimizing the chance of the bed being contaminated by something like dust, fluids, or any other materials that might be able to contribute to infection down the line.
• Comfort and Safety: Patients who have just had surgery are often in pain or discomfort, which is the case most of the time. A well-made bed gives the support that is needed for them to be free from pain and to have a more relaxed feeling which helps them recover. Therefore, it is super important that the bed should be positioned in such a way that it does not make the patient slide out or fall. Pillows, which provide necessary support, and sheets help with this.
• Ease of Patient Transfer: Moving a patient from a stretcher to a bed should be effortless and be done without causing the patient any discomfort or injury, you know? And just so you know, the bedding has to be set in such a consistent manner that it can first receive the stretcher and allow the patient to be moved safely and easily.
• Prevention of Complications: A properly positioned patient in a correctly-made bed can avoid complications like bedsores or improper blood circulation, that we must say. This is crucial after surgery especially because the body is in a weakened state. Then, the use of extra heat from additional blankets or hot water bags can also avert postoperative shock.

Equipment Needed for Postoperative Bed Making

The thing is, before the nurses engage in making the bed they will collect and organize the following equipment so that they are fully ready, you know? So what are these equipment or things that are must-haves in order to start preparing a postoperative bed? Let’s see:

• Bed Linens: These include a clean bottom sheet, a draw sheet (a smaller sheet used for added protection), a rubber sheet (also called a Mackintosh sheet) to prevent the bed from getting wet, a top sheet, and a blanket. Clean and disinfected are the essential components of bedding.
• Comfort Items: These involve pillows for neck support and sometimes the use of extra pillows to be put below the knees or the back, you know? And sure, if the weather is cold the hot water bottle can keep the patient warm.
• Monitoring Equipment: These are the items that are always present like a stethoscope, blood pressure computer, and pulse oximeter near the bed for monitoring the patient after surgery. And just so you know, emergency equipment such as an oxygen cylinder, suction apparatus, and IV stand is also placed there for immediate use if there are any signs of distress in the patient during the time of recovery.

Step-by-Step Procedure of Postoperative Bed Making

Alright, now you know what postoperative bed-making is, why it is super important, and what equipment and things you’ll need during the bed-making procedure, correct? What now? Well, now we are about to show you the step-by-step procedure of postoperative bed making so that you can do it in the best possible way and not miss out on even a single thing. Here’s how you should go about it:

• Prepare the Bed: The first thing you want to do is take out any used linens from the bed and clean the mattress if necessary. Then put everything back into its place if needed, just strip off one piece of the white sheet and do not mess with part of the other material, and afterward just wipe any dirt or debris.
• Place the Bottom Sheet: Then just put a clean bottom sheet on the mattress, tightly tucking it in. Just try to prevent wrinkles, the patient is most likely to feel them. The next part is placing the draw sheet close to the center of the bed, covering that part with the rubber sheet to ensure that no fluids leak through.
• Arrange the Top Sheet and Blankets: Next, just fold the top sheet and blankets towards the opposite side from where the patient will be transferred and fan-fold (fold back) them. This makes it easier to cover the patient once they are moved into the bed.
• Add Comfort Items: Then put the pillow with a clean pillowcase at the head of the bed. Also, if it is chilly, fill the hot water bottles at the foot or center of the bed to keep the patient warm.
• Prepare for Transfer: Afterwards, just bring the bed down to the same height as the stretcher for the smoothest transfer possible. Also, check that any emergency equipment needed, such as oxygen or IV poles, is readily available.
• Patient Transfer: At last, after the patient is safely transferred into the bed, cover them with fan-folded sheets and blankets. Try to adjust the position of the pillows to maximize both comfort and safety.
• Final Adjustments: If your patient is fully covered, tuck in the top sheet and blanket and, of course, make sure the bed is well adjusted and neat. Bring back the sides of the bed up to a level that will prevent the patient from rolling over.

Conclusion

There you have it. Now you understand now only the importance of postoperative bed making, but also how to carefully and perfectly do it so that the patient doesn’t go through any discomfort or pain during the recovery period.