Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Low Bed Safety for Nursing Assistants Barbara Acello, RN

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.

Low Bed Safetyfor Nursing Assistants

Barbara Acello, RN


Low Bed Information

• Up to 54 percent of all falls from bed occur over the elevated side rails

• Low beds reduce the risk of falling from a great height


Low Bed Information

• They are usually used without bed rails • Patients who are at risk for falling from

bed are usually good candidates for low bed use


Low Bed Information

• Patients who have had hip replacement surgery within the previous 90 days– Should not use low beds


Working with Low Beds• Low beds are wonderful tools for reducing

injuries related to patient falls– But having one or more low beds on the unit

increases the risk for staff injuries


Working with Low Beds• Nursing assistants must have good

organizational skills and use common sense when preparing to work with the patient or make the low bed

• Using good body mechanics is essential when lifting, moving, caring for patients, and making beds


Guidelines for Caring for Patients in Low Beds

• For maximum safety– Place the far side of the bed against a wall

• Move other furnishings far enough away from the bed to prevent injury

• Keep the bed in the lowest horizontal position with the wheels locked when the patient is in bed



• If the bed you are using has a high low feature– Use it whenever caring for the bedfast

patient, transferring the patient and making the bed



• Place a high impact, padded, plastic covered mat on the floor next to the low bed to protect and cushion the patient in the event of falls



• Although a floor pad or mat reduces the risk of patient injury from falls– It presents a trip hazard for staff– Fold and store the mat when the patient is out

of bed



• Move slowly and carefully when working near a floor mat

• Avoid entering the room in total darkness

• Leave a night light on– Or turn the light on when entering



• Avoid leaning forward or down at the waist to provide patient care– Elevate the height of the bed

• Sit in a chair, squat, kneel on one or both knees, or sit on the mat– Depending on the nature of your activity at

the bedside



• Elevate the bed to the proper height for the patient when transferring him or her out of bed

• A one quarter size side rail or pole that extends from floor to ceiling should also be available for the patient to grasp when getting into or out of bed



• Discourage the patient from grabbing items such as:• Overbed table, chair, or sink



• Use good body mechanics, a transfer belt, a ceiling or mechanical lift when assisting patients into and out of bed

• Follow the instructions on the care plan



• Evaluate the overall safety of the room and bed

• Remove trip and fall hazards and other items that may cause injury


Guidelines for Making Low Beds

• When making a low bed, modify the regular bedmaking procedure by using these adaptations to reduce your risk of injury

• You should:• Plan to make low beds with a partner, if

possible



• Mentally plan and prepare yourself for the procedure

• Wash your hands before handling clean linen



• Gather everything you will need before entering the room

• Double check to make sure you have all needed items



• Think about what you are doing • Organize and plan your work

– To reduce the total number of motions needed to complete the task

• Elevate the height of the bed, if possible



• Place linen and needed items on the chair or within close reach of the bed

• Avoid moving quickly – Rapid motion increases your risk of injury



• Use good body mechanics, maintain a neutral posture and bend from the legs.

• Avoid bending at the waist or twisting.



• During the bedmaking procedure:– You may squat, sit, or kneel on the plastic

mat (with one or both knees) – Position yourself next to the bed if doing so

is easier for you and helps keep your spine straight.



• Your position is somewhat determined by height.

• A tall person may be able to sit on the mat while making the bed– Whereas a shorter person may need to

squat



• Wear gloves when removing soiled linen.

• Remove them and wash your hands before making the bed and handling clean linen a second time.

• Never handle clean linen while wearing soiled gloves.


Guidelines forMaking Low Beds

• Avoid environmental contamination with your used gloves.

• Check bed for lost items– Glasses, hearing aid, or dentures, and

remove them if found.



• Remove linen several pieces at a time• Avoid rolling the linen up and trying to

remove it all in one bundle.– Weight of linen and your posture increase

risk of back injury. – Roll used side of linen inward and remove

one or two pieces at a time.



• Place soiled linen in a plastic bag well to the side on the mat– In a pillowcase draped over back of chair– In a plastic bag on seat of a second chair

• Or according to facility policy – Despite your proximity to floor, avoid placing

clean or soiled linen on the floor



• Do not change position or waste steps by removing linen from the room until you have finished the bedmaking procedure.

• Remove your gloves and discard in a second plastic bag or according to facility policy.



• After removing soiled linen, handwashing is necessary before handling clean linen.

• Do not be tempted to omit this important step.



• Carry a pocket size bottle of alcohol-based hand cleaner.

• Do a 15 second handwash with the alcohol cleaner before handling clean linen.



• Make one side of the bed at a time:– This is faster, more efficient, requires fewer

physical motions, and conserves energy.



• Use a fitted bottom sheet to reduce the number of movements necessary for making the bed– Thereby lowering the risk of back strain



• If one side of the bed is next to the wall– Leave the bed in the high position– If permitted by your facility



• If the bed is not near a wall– Raise the rail on the far side, or position it at

the lowest horizontal height– Or position according to facility policy



• Wipe the mat with disinfectant– Then fold and store it under the bed, or

according to facility policy• Wash your hands• Perform a safety check of the room



• Perform your procedure completion actions

• Remove and discard soiled linen, gloves, and other procedural trash when you leave the room

Documents

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Low Bed Safety for Nursing Assistants Barbara Acello, RN