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Unoccupied Bed Making

Making an unoccupied bed correctly ensures a clean, safe environment with taut, wrinkle-free linens that prevent pressure injuries.

15 steps·5 evaluator checkpoints·5 common mistakes

1Step-by-Step Procedure

1
Gather equipment: fitted sheet, flat sheet, draw sheet (optional), blanket, bedspread, pillowcase.
2
Wash hands.
3
Lower the bed rail and raise the bed to a comfortable working height.
4
Remove all soiled linens, rolling them inward; place in the soiled laundry without shaking.
5
Place the clean fitted sheet on the mattress and secure all four corners.
6
If using a flat bottom sheet: place with the center fold at the center of the mattress; unfold toward the head and foot; tuck in at the head with a mitered corner; tuck the sides in.
7
Place the flat top sheet with the hem (right side) facing up; align to the top of the mattress.
8
Add a blanket and bedspread if applicable, aligned to the top of the mattress.
9
Make mitered (hospital) corners at the foot on both sides.
10
Fold the top sheet, blanket, and bedspread back approximately 12–18 inches to form a cuff.
11
Change the pillowcase: hold the pillow in the middle with one hand; with the other hand, gather the clean pillowcase and slip it over the pillow.
12
Place the pillow at the head of the bed with the open end of the pillowcase facing away from the door.
13
Verify the bed is flat, smooth, and wrinkle-free.
14
Lower the bed to the lowest position.
15
Wash hands.

⚠
Shaking soiled linens when removing them.
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Not mitering the corners — hospital corners are evaluated.
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Leaving wrinkles in the bottom sheet.
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Placing the pillow so the open end of the pillowcase faces the door — a standard hospital convention violation.
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Not raising the bed to a comfortable working height — using poor body mechanics.

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Practice mitered corners until they are second nature.
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Smooth and taut is the goal — run your hand across the sheet before finishing.
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Pillowcase opening faces away from the door — this is a standard tested convention.
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Roll soiled linens away from your body into a bundle.

Also study the written exam topics

Physical Care Skills makes up 45% of the written exam — the same procedures you just reviewed will appear as multiple-choice questions.

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