Different Types of Special Beds in Hospitals

Special Beds

         Admission bed This is prepared for the newly admitted patient.

            Indications

            Provide minimum disturbance to the patient during admission bath and physical examination.

            Protect bed linen during admission bath and leave a fresh bed immediately ready for the use.

          Post-operative bed. This is prepared for the patient who has undergone surgery.

            Indications

            Protect bed linen from vomiting, bleeding, drainage and discharges.

            Provide warmth and comfort to the patient to prevent shock.

         Fracture bed This is a hard firm bed designed for the patient with fracture particularly of spine, pelvis or femur.

            Indications

            Aid in immobilizing the fracture.

            Prevent unnecessary pain.

            Provide warmth and comfort to the patient.

            Prevent undue sagging of the mattress.

          Plaster bed This is a hard bed designed for the patient with plaster.

            Indications Aid in immobilizing the part until the plaster dries.

            Aid in drying the plaster in correct position and shape.

            Provide warmth to dry the plaster and keep the patient comfortable.

          Amputation or stump bed : In this type of bed the top bed clothes are divided or split. This is known as amputation or stump bed when it is used for the patient with amputation of legs.

             Indications

            Avoid disturbance to the patient during constant observation, repeated applications or treatments

are necessary for abdomen or lower limbs.

            Take the weight of the clothes off the side of the amputated limb or stump.

            Keep the stump in good position.

            Watch stump for hemorrhage constantly and apply a tourniquet instantly if necessary.

         Cardiac bed  This is prepared for a patient with heart disease.

             Indications

            Relieve dyspnoea.

            Assist in recovery of the patient.

            Provide comfort to the patient.

            Prevent complications.

          Rheumatism or renal bed: This is prepared to provide extra warmth to the patient.

             Indications

            Provide extra warmth to the body incase of general debility and shock.

            Provide comfort to the aching joints in patients with acute rheumatism.

Improve perspiration for excretion of waste products incase of nephritis.

           Burns bed This is prepared for a patient with burns.

             Indications

            Prevent infection to the burnt area.

            Help in healing of the burnt area.

            Provide comfort to the patient.

            Prevent the patient from sticking to the sheet as a

result of exudates oozing from the burnt area.

          The beds must be versatile and adaptable to different needs of the patients with following arrangements.

          Siderails  These are used to

             Prevent the patient from falling out of bed.

             Protect the restless patient.

            Provide the patient support to grasp and hold when moving about.

           Handcranks These are located at the foot of bed and used to:

           Adjust the height of bed.

          Raise or lower the head, foot or knee sections in order to maintain various bed positions for treatment or comfort.

          Special attachments The attachments of various poles, frames and equipment for traction are used to modify the beds to meet various needs of the patient for treatment and

comfort.

          Collect all the supplies which are likely to be required, place on the stool or bedside table.

            Use a damp duster for enamel painted iron bed and dry one for the varnished bed. Dust mattress and sheets with dry duster and furniture with damp duster.

            When stripping the bed, strip in the following manner:

          Loosen the bedding all around starting from the head end and proceed to the foot end. Lift the mattress while loosening it.

Pick up gently, do not pull with force, shake gently and fold the clean linen which can be used again.

            Fold the counterpane or bed spread twice bringing the top end to the bottom end and then pick up from the center.

            Fold the other top clothes the same manner.

            Fold the draw sheet in two.

            Roll the protective sheet to prevent creases on it.

            Fold the other bottom clothes as top clothes.

            Place the folded clean linen which can be used again, over the back of the chair and those, which cannot be used, again should be thrown in the dirty linen receptacle. Never throw the soiled linen on the floor to prevent spread of microorganisms.

            Turn the mattress top to bottom or from side to side.

            Turn the pillow.

            Air the cotton mattress and pillow to keep them fresh and soft. Most of the dunlop mattresses are smooth on one side only.

          When the patient is incontinent or has profuse drainage, use protective sheet under the patient.

           Two nurses should work together to make the bed for helpless patient opposite to one another or at each side of the bed.

          Modify the bed according to the weather, needs and habits of the patient.

          When tucking the bed linen under the mattress, pull the sheets with both hands and the palms face down in order to protect your knuckles from bed springs.

            Never discard woolen blankets in the receptacle along with the soiled clothes. If soiled, treat them separately.

            Make the bed firm, smooth and free of wrinkles.

After completing the bed making, arrange the locker, bed and bedside furniture properly.

            When making an occupied bed, make every effort to minimize the discomfort to the patient.

            When the patient is in traction, the bed is made without disturbing the traction weights.

            Inspect bed and bedding for vermin and treat accordingly, if present.

            Do not let your uniform touch the bed and bed linen.

            Observe patient' s physical condition to assess patient' s ability for self care.

            Develop relationship ( nurse-patient ) with the patient.

            The following are the principles of bed making which need to be kept in mind while making bed.

          Barrier nursing to prevent cross infection.

          Clean and comfortable bed to ensure rest and sleep and prevent complications.

            Appropriate body mechanics to maintain body alignment and prevent fatigue.

            Organised functioning to save time, effort and material.

            Keep in mind the nursing principles while making bed.

Nursing activity

            Collect and take the supplies to the bed side.

            Place the supplies on  the stools.

            Tidy the shelves and move the locker a little away.

            Explain the patient that you are going to make his or her bed.

            Maintain patient' s privacy by using screen.

            Wash your hands.

            Make the bed as mentioned below accordingly