The Resident’s Environment Make your patient’s comfortable!

A little funny…

Resident Comfort Affected by age, illness, and degree of activity Watch for symptoms of sleep deprivation Important to control lighting, ventilation, odors, noise based on resident’s needs How can we do this??? Temps controlled between 71o and 81o per OBRA Protect from drafts-blankets, clothing, wraps

Resident Comfort Lighting Noise Control Odor Control light control in reach of resident so residents can choose how much light they want Noise Control keep noise to a minimum because some are very sensitive to noise Odor Control Remove soiled items, clean bedpans and urinals, use deodorizers as needed

Bedmaking What does a well made bed offer your patient? Comfort Safety This is part of their home while they are in the hospital or health care facility

Types of Beds Gatch bed Electric bed Bed height and head/foot can be adjusted by turning crank. Electric bed Bed height and head/foot can be adjusted by electric controls.

Types of Beds Low bed Air-Loss bed Used for patients with fall risks and those for whom use of side rails are not advised Air-Loss bed Used for those who have pressure ulcers or are at risk Turning of patients using a low air loss bed still must be turned every 2 hours CPR is not effective in this type of bed unless the air pillow switch is activated

Types of Beds CircOlectric Bed Stryker Frame Spinal injury patients and those with severe burns use these beds After rotation, the patient is on the abdomen Stryker Frame Similar in function to the CircOlectric bed but is manually operated Used for patients with severe burns or spinal injuries

Safety Alert You must be trained in order to use specialty beds Always find out the proper operating procedure before attempting to operate any bed Two or more staff members must be present when these beds are used Patients must be turned in the direction of the narrow wedge to reduce the risk of falls Make sure all straps are secure and the frame is locked Sections may be removed for patient elimination but remember to always replace them

Bedmaking and Bed Linens Bed linen is routinely changed when soiled but also Daily in an acute care facility (hospital) Two or three times a week (or every other day) in LTCF’s

Guidelines for handling linens and making the bed… Always wash hands and use gloves if linen is soiled Linen carts must be covered Take only the linens you need to change the bed Unused linen is never returned to the linen cart Avoid contact between the linens and your uniform Fold or roll soiled linen toward the center when removing it from the bed

Guidelines for handling linens and making the bed… Soiled linen may be placed into a plastic bag or pillowcase and then placed into the soiled linen hamper Never shake bed linens, microbes may be released into the air Never place soiled linen on environmental surfaces is in the room Overbed tables, floors, chairs, etc

Guidelines for handling linens and making the bed… Use proper body mechanics when making the bed to prevent back injury Work on one side of the bed at a time to save time Make sure bottom linen are wrinkle free to prevent skin breakdown Follow the patient’s care plan regarding positioning of the head and foot of the bed, the number of pillows used and the use of pillows for positioning

OSHA and Safety Alerts Preventing back injuries is one of the most important things you can do. Raise the bed to a working height Watch for sharp items or resident belongings in linen Never turn your back on the patient or leave the bedside when the bed is in the high position and the side rail is down

Infection Control Alert Always wear gloves when handling wet or soiled linen Soiled linen must be placed in a linen hamper or plastic bag Avoid contaminating environmental surfaces with soiled gloves Disinfect the mattress if needed Discard gloves and wash hands Report any cracks in mattresses at once It is not necessary to wear gloves when handling clean linen

Types of Bedmaking Styles Occupied Bed Made with the patient in the bed Bedbound patients receive their baths in the bed and this bedbath is done before the bed change Unoccupied bed Made with the patient out of the bed Is fanfolded halfway down for ease of entry

Types of Bedmaking Styles Open bed “Welcoming” bed style For the new patient In LTCF’s the bed is not made “open” unless the resident is going to bed soon Closed bed Made following discharge of a patient and after the room has been cleaned Remains closed until a new patient is admitted

Types of Bedmaking Styles Surgical bed Used for patient returning from surgery or to be admitted from stretcher Linen is fanfolded to the side of the bed Raise bed to stretcher height Place all needed equipment (vitals equip, emesis basin, tissues) next to the bed

Procedures Occupied Bed Unoccupied Bed If you can make an occupied bed, an unoccupied bed change will be easy Opening a Closed Bed Making a Surgical Bed

Admission “Open” the bed Determine how your patient will arrive Determine what you will need Greet resident and family (family may be asked to go to waiting room while you prepare resident Provide privacy

Admission Assist patient to change clothes if needed Obtain assessments: Vital Signs, Ht and Wt Skin assessments Belongings inventory Orient to unit Call bell, bed controls, bathroom features, TV, visiting hours, mealtime routines Assist in unpacking/storing items if needed

Transfers Check with the nurse for instructions Verify that the receiving unit is ready for the resident Gather all personal belongings and equipment that is to be transferred with the resident Follow facility procedure for handling valuables

Transfers Transfer resident via ______ according to instructions from the nurse, ensure resident safety Ensure resident knows how to use call bell, bed before leaving in new location Document according to facility protocol, Make sure all personal belongings and valuables are transferred Check inventory with receiving healthcare worker

Discharge Check with the nurse for instructions Gather all personal belongings and equipment that is to be sent home with the patient Follow facility procedure for handling valuables Make sure all belongings and valuables are sent with patient upon discharge and not left in room Transfer patient via ______ according to instructions from the nurse, ensure resident safety Document according to facility protocol