Placing slide sheets

Always place slide sheets under a bed sheet to protect skin integrity. Using a spare, flat bed sheet is most helpful. Tuck slide sheets under the client’s neck, the hollow in their back and under their knees, pushing down on the mattress.

1. Place slide sheets underneath a bed sheet

2. Keep the edges of the slide sheet to the edge of the bed as a guide, providing enough slide sheet to cover the rest of the mattress in a single or standard hospital bed

3. If the bed is large, consider large slide sheets or using more of them

4. Roll client on to their side, pull sheet out other side and straighten.

Protect client with a bed sheet over slidesheets.

A patient from another hospital came to us with friction burns down one side of his torso. When asked what had caused the burns he told us it was where staff had been inserting slide sheets under his bare skin. Although he tried to make sure his pyjamas were protecting him, it was much more comfortable when slide sheets were used underneath a bed sheet.

1. Place slide sheets underneath a bed sheet

2. Keep edge of slide sheet to edge of bed

3. Push slide sheet through under client, pushing down on the mattress