The change of bedding and underwear after getting wet as a result of hygiene procedures, as well as pollution for various reasons, occurs in several ways. To begin with, it is worth recalling that the linen should be without rough seams, clasps and scars on the side touching the patient’s body, because they injure the skin.
Replacement of linen in a lying patient occurs weekly, and with
excessive sweating, uncontrolled urination and bowel movements - more often.
Technique for changing bed and underwear
If the patient is assigned to bed rest, and with the permission of the doctor, he moves, then with the assistance of an assistant, he can perfectly cope with this himself. In the case when the patient is allowed to sit, then he is transplanted with the help of a nurse on a chair, and the change of bed linen and underwear occurs without much difficulty.
When spreading, the formation of folds should be excluded, and the edges of a well-stretched sheet should be seasoned. With abundant discharge from the patient’s wound, it would be reasonable to lay an oilcloth under the sheet.
If it is impossible to get up and move, the patient has to resort to outside help, and there are some difficulties when changing clothes that require special attention.
It is necessary to prepare for the procedure, providing everything you need: a set of clean bedding, a bag for dirty linen, wear gloves, a bathrobe.
It is more convenient if the change of bed linen and underwear is carried out by two people. Two methods are most commonly used:
• vertical (with complete immobility of the patient);
• horizontal (if the patient can turn in bed).
Having prepared everything you need, you need to establish contact with the patient, explaining the sequence of actions and securing his consent for the upcoming manipulations. After that, you can start the procedure.
Vertical way
When a change of underwear and bed linen is necessary , the algorithm of actions with complete immobility of the patient looks like this:
1. Change the duvet cover and pillowcase.
2. Beat pillows, put the blanket and pillows on the bedside chair.
3. Roll the width of the clean sheet with a roller.
4. The assistant, lifting, supports the head and shoulders of the patient.
5. Roll the dirty sheet very quickly to the patient’s lower back, and place a clean sheet in its place.
6. The pillows are laid, the patient's head is lowered.
7. The legs and pelvis of the patient are lifted.
8. A dirty sheet is quickly folded, a clean sheet is rolled in its place.
9. Lower the patient's lower limbs.
10. A sheet is stretched, carefully straightening along the edges, and dressed under the mattress.
11. Put dirty laundry in a bag, remove gloves.
12. Shelter the patient.
Horizontal way
If the patient is able to turn in bed, a horizontal method of changing clothes is used, which can only be started by establishing trustful contact with the patient and placing him with explanations about the actions taken.
How is the change of underwear and bed linen? The algorithm of actions will help to avoid mistakes.
1. Prepare everything you need: fresh linen, a clean bathrobe, gloves and a container for used linen.
2. Roll the prepared clean sheet along the length of the roller, replace the duvet cover.
3. Raise the patient's head, remove the pillows.
4. Change pillowcases, put pillows on a chair.
5. Carefully turn the patient on their side, pull them towards you, on the edge of the bed.
6. Quickly roll up the dirty, and in its place straighten the fresh sheet.
7. Carefully turn the patient on the other side, placing them on a fresh sheet.
8. Roll up the dirty sheet, and straighten the clean onto the vacant place.
9. Turn the patient on his back.
10. Fix the edges of the stretched sheet under the mattress.
11. Pack dirty laundry in a bag, remove gloves.
12. Cover the patient with a blanket.
Underwear replacement
In order for the change of underwear and bedding for a seriously ill patient to be successful, it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations.
• Pajamas should be spacious, made from natural materials that are easily absorbent and not irritating.
• To remove the shirt, carefully wrap the edge of the garment to the collar, bring the patient's hands up. A shirt is removed over the head, freeing the patient's hands.
• You should put it on your hands first, then throwing it over your head, lower the shirt over the edges down the body.
• To replace the trousers, it is necessary to raise the patient’s sacrum and gently pull the trousers down, freeing the legs. If there is a fastener, then unzip it first, but more often in the pajamas, an elastic band is provided, which greatly facilitates the procedure.
Recommendations
To change the bed linen and underwear caused the patient minimal inconvenience, it is necessary:
• Correspondence of the sizes of bed linen and mattress.
• The presence of Velcro, elastic at the edge of the sheet for better fixation.
• Pillows should not be made of feather or fluff, but of synthetic material (microfiber or synthetic winterizer).
• Oilcloth should be soft and washed daily.
• Wash laundry without chlorine products and iron on both sides.
If you follow these recommendations, the patient will be given a minimum of inconvenience, which will greatly alleviate his suffering.