Session 2Preparation of Hospital Beds

Session 2Preparation of Hospital Beds

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Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students are expected to be able to:

Define the terms: hospital bed and hospital bed accessories

Identify different parts of hospital bed

List different types of hospital beds

Identify different types of hospital bed accessories

Describe uses of different types of hospital beds and accessories

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Definition of Terms

Definition of Terms

Hospital bed: The essential item for sick persons in the hospital.

Hospital bed differs from normal bed in height, length and adjustability in order to satisfy the needs of both patient and health care provider.

Bed Accessories: Are appliances aimed at giving support, comfort or safety when making certain type of bed.

In hospitals patients spend most of their time in bed and some patients are entirely confined to bed for long periods.

It is therefore very important that the bed should be as comfortable as possible all the time.

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Parts of Hospital Bed

Parts of Hospital Bed

Bedstead: This is made of steel with a smooth surface to facilitate cleaning.

It has a recommended height of 60 cm and the length is 2 meters.

This enables health worker to care the patient without much physical strain.

The bed stead is made of

The frame

Wire spring

The back rest

Four wheels to enable easy movement from one place to another

The trapeze (lifting pole) to enable lift him or herself

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The spring cover: Protects the mattress from being torn.

The spring cover: Protects the mattress from being torn.

The mattress: Makes the patient comfortable.

It is made of sponge and enclosed in a protective water proof material.

Long mackintosh: Protect the mattress.

Bottom sheet: Placed over the long mackintosh.

Draw mackintosh: Placed transversely in the middle of the bed.

Draw sheet: Placed transversely in the middle of the bed over the draw mackintosh.

Top sheet: Used for covering the patient.

Blanket: Keep the patient warm (when necessary).

Pillow and pillow case: For the patient’s head.

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Types of Hospital Beds

Types of Hospital Beds

Delivery beds: These are beds designed for patients of maternity and gynaecology ward

Theatre beds: These are beds designed for patients undergoing surgical procedure in the operating theatre.

Special beds include the following

Fracture bed

Post operative bed

Cardiac bed

Divided bed or amputation bed

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Bed Accessories and their Use

Bed Accessories and their Use

Bed accessories: Are some appliances which may be needed when making certain type of beds.

These appliances are as follows

Bedside locker

This is used to keep basic things for the patient, like drinking water, tooth brush and paste, books for reading or writing and pen even flowers for the patient.

Bed-rest (back – rest)

It is used to help the patient to lie in a sitting up position or recumbent position in bed.

It is adjustable thus enabling elevation at different degree as needed.

Some hospital beds are attached with bed rests which form part of the bed.

Pillows are put on the bed-rest to provide comfort to the patient.

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Bed-block and Bed-elevator

Bed-block and Bed-elevator

Bed blocks are made of wood and bed – elevators are made of metal.

Their use is to elevate top of the bed in order to promote drainage or if placed at the bottom of the bed in order to increase blood supply to brain in shocked patients.

Bed-elevators have crosspieces like a ladder in order to facilitate elevation at varying height.

Bed Cradle

This is device which is used to keep the weight of the bed-linen away from the patient’s limb or other part of the body.

Conditions which may necessity the use of a bed cradle include; burns, wet dressing on a limb, pin area in a certain part of the body, dry wet plaster of Paris (P.O.P).

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Bed Table/ Cardiac Table

Bed Table/ Cardiac Table

It is a small table which is designed in such a way that it can be placed on the patient’s bed so that he or she can take his or her meals from a tray which is put on it.

The table can also be useful in asthmatic or cardiac failure patients to learn forward to assist in breathing.

It is also useful for a patient who wants to write something.

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Fracture boards: They are made of wood and are put under the mattress to prevent sagging of bed.

Fracture boards: They are made of wood and are put under the mattress to prevent sagging of bed.

They are used for patients with fractures and those with painful backs.

Trapeze (lifting pole): It is fixed at the head of the bedstead.

It has a bar suspended over the head to help the patient lift him or her off the mattress for self care or for some exercises.

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Key Points

Key Points

Hospital bed is a very important item in providing standard care to the patients.

There are different types of beds, include Delivery bed, operating bed, special beds and bed appliances are needed to support patient’s position.

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Evaluation

Evaluation

What is a hospital bed?

What are the different parts of a hospital bed?

What are the three types of hospital beds?

What are the uses of hospital bed accessories?

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References

References

Alexander, M.F. (2002), Nursing Practice Hospital and Home, (3rd ed.) .London: Architect Inc.

MOHSW, (2008), Basic Nursing procedure: A manual for Nursing Practicing in Tanzania, Nursing services Unit (3rd ed.). Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare

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UNLIMITED LIFE IS A WORTH LIVING LIFE

UNLIMITED LIFE IS A WORTH LIVING LIFE

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