Wet linen change (best done with two caregivers, to stabilize the patient.)

  • Note: This technique assumes that the used flat sheet underneat the patient is soiled so that it would leak through on to clean linen..
  • Boost the patient to the head of the bed.
  • Raise the bed to a comfortable working height (not past the mattress height marker on the frame) and remove the sheet clamp from one side.
  • Lift the belt that is connected to the sheet clamp to remove slack and tug down to assure lock.
  • With a caregiver on each side, cross the patient's ankles and arms, then lower the bed.
  • Allow the patient to turn fully to their side with the caregiver stabilizing them.
  • Raise the bed to a comfortable working height and remove and store the sheet clamp.
  • The patient is now comfortably fully turned on their side with 1 caregiver stabilizing them.
  • Clean the patient.
  • With the patient clean and stabilized on their side, roll the old flat sheet and chux under the patient.
  • Lay out new linen, tucking under the patient (as per traditional log-roll technique).
  • Allow the patient to roll back onto their back.
  • Attach the sheet clamp to the other side and raise the bed.
  • Remove the slack from the belts and check they are locked.
  • The first caregiver joins their partner on the other side of the bed.
  • While lowering the bed, both caregivers assist the patient with their turn. (With half of the flat sheet rolled under the patient the ErgoNurse will complete approximately 30% of the second turn.)
  • With the patient on their side, one caregiver stabilizes the patient while the other returns to the other side of the bed.
  • The caregiver removes the sheet clamp and stores it on the hanging pin.
  • Remove the old flat sheet and Chux.
  • Clean the patient as required.
  • The new linen is pulled through and tucked (as per the traditional manual log-roll technique.)
  • The patient is allowed to roll onto their back on to the new linen.
  • (Note: if the patient is becoming soiled frequently, place a separate sheet under all linen, protect it with waterproofing, and use that to roll the patient from side to side, to change the linen. Change the waterproofing as necessary.)