The Importance of Bedmaking

Bed making is one of unavoidable and important procedures in taking care of patients who are in bed rest. No body wants to take a rest in a dirty and uncomfortable condition and so do the patients. As beds are where they spend most of their time in hospital, the condition of bed will affect the physical and psychological comfort for patients who are ill. Good bedmaking promotes good sleep and good sleep promotes optimum health and healing process. Therefore, it is essential the nurse keep the bed as clean and comfortable as possible.



Bedmaking as practiced by a nurse assistant is a skilled task that must be performed precisely. The bed must be, dry, wrinkle-free to prevent bedsores, which not only cause discomfort to the patient but can cause serious health problems(such as pressure ulcers). It must be clean and the open end of the pillow case must be facing away from the door to prevent an infection control issue. It is also important to make sure that it is odorless for the patients’ comfort. There are specific bedmaking techniques for use when a bed is occupied by a patient which is different from the unoccupied one. Moreover, there is also special matress to prevent and treat decubitus ulcers.




However, bedmaking can not substitute for nursing care. Periodically turning patient, doing skin care and positioning are procedures that need nurse’s help. Doing all these things will help the patients feel comfortable and lessen the illness.

By. Dwi Notosusanto (James)