How to Make Hospital Corners The Easy Way

If you don't know how to make hospital corners just follow my handy easy steps and you will get the hang of it in no time. You can make them for your bed at home or in a hospital or nursing home setting.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hospital Bed
• Fitted bottom sheets
• Blankets
• Bedspreads
• Pillowcases
• Gloves
• Linen Cart Soiled linen bucket

1. 
    
   Nurses are people

   Clean neat beds increase a person's comfort. In hospitals, beds are made in the morning after baths. In nursing homes, beds are made on patients bath day when a complete linen change is required.
   Making a close bed at home or in the hospital.

2. Wash your hands and then collect the linens you need to make a closed bed.
   For hospital: collect linen in order
   1. mattress pad
   2. bottom sheet (flat sheet or contour sheet)
   3. plastic drawsheet or disposable bed protectors
   4. cotton drawsheet
   5. top sheet (flat sheet)
   6. blanket
   7. bedspread
   8. pillow cases
   9. bath towels
   10. hand towel
   11. washcloth
   12. hospital gown
   13. bath blanket
   Hold the lines with one arm and the other hand to pick them up. The item you will use first is at the bottom of your stack. (You pick up the mattress pad first, which is at the bottom and the bath blanket is on top).
   At home you won't need most of these items but making hospitals corners can also give you comfort as well. You will make your bed with what you always use but you will know how to make hospital corners!

3. Please see Step five on how to make a hospital corner.
   Carry your linen and put them on a clean surface such as overbed table, bedside table or chair.
   Make bed in flat position.
   Put on gloves.
   Remove soiled linen. Do not allow soiled linen to come in contact with your uniform. Wash mattress if soiled.
   Remove and discard gloves.
   Wash hands.

4. 
    
   Showing top sheet

   Move mattress to the head of the bed. Place mattress pad on the mattress so it is even with the top of the mattress.
   Place bottom sheet on mattress pad and unfold it lengthwise, with center crease in middle of the bed. Work from head to foot.
   Place the large hem at the top face downward.
   Place drawsheet with folded side in half and place it over the bottom sheet. Tuck under mattress.
   Place top sheet with crease down the middle of the bed, hemmed side down.
   Place blanket, and bedspread on the bed.
   Make hospital corner.

5. 
    
   Bed made

   Go to the other side of the bed.
   Pull the bottom sheet tightly so there are no wrinkles.
   Make hospital corner.
   Pull drawsheet tightly.
   Pull top sheet, blanket, and bedspread straight. Tuck under foot end of mattress.
   Make hospital corner with sheet, blanket and spread.
   Make sure there is enough spread at the top of the bed for the pillow.

6. Replace pillowcase.
   Place pillow the head of the bed with open end away from door.
   return bed to appropriate level.
   Dispose of soiled linen in the soiled linen container.
   Wash hands.

7. 
    
   Hospital corner

   Make hospital corner by taking the sheet, blanket, and spread together about 15 inches from the end of the bed.
   Lift up so it makes a diagonal fold and lay the fold on them under the mattress tightly.
   Drop the fold and pull it smooth and tuck it under the mattress.

Tips & Warnings

• Work on one side of the bed then the other.
• Stacking linens in order saves time and excess handling.
• Use proper body mechanics when making a bed.
• Change linens if they become soiled, but they are usually checked every two hours.
• Check linens for dentures, jewelry, glasses, hearing aids or anything else before stripping the bed.
• Never place soiled linen on the floor. Put them in a laundry basket or plastic bag.

[ouchpot80]

on 11/15/2009 The diagram is truly helpful! Well done.