May 22, 2009
A Draw Sheet
What is a draw sheet? Did Portland Firefly do it again and come up with something of which you have not heard? (Gosh, did I have to re-write that sentence in order to not end it with a preposition!)
A draw sheet is an extra sheet that you put over the sheet on your bed. It is used in nursing homes and sometimes for hospice beds because of the flexibility it provides to caregivers.
If a bed sheet becomes soiled, then you must strip the entire bed and change the sheets, washing all of them. That is time consuming, plus you have the added (and probably larger) problem of what to do with the patient during the bed changing process. The use of a draw sheet eliminates most of these problems.
With a draw sheet on the bed, if it becomes soiled, you simply “draw off” (remove) the soiled draw sheet leaving the bed intact. If the patient is immobile, then you can simply roll the patient to one side while switching out the soiled draw sheet for a clean one. Then rolling them back to a more comfortable position. Another plus is that a draw sheet is usually folded, thereby providing additional layers of protection for the bed. One can even insert a plastic sheet inside it, or a heavy towel for added absorption protection if that is comfortable for your patient.
When used in a hospital bed with an immobile patient, it provides a means to readjust the patients position easily, by just pulling up on the ends of the draw sheet thereby straightening the patients position and making them more comfortable without tugging on their limbs.
PS: This article was written a few weeks prior to surgery, but schedulded for viewing today. The next several articles were planned in the same way.
PS: As a point of clarification, the draw sheet should be folded (usually into thirds) and then placed over your bottom bed sheet. But… place the draw sheet so that it tucks into the sides of the bed only. It will only go from about your shoulder to your knees, protecting the area of the bed that is most likely to become soiled. I have a king sized sheet that I keep for just this purpose on my queen sized bed.
Michele LaDuke said,
May 22, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I’m thrilled to know all about the “draw sheet”. But what about you? I’m looking forward to the next chapter in FireFly’s life….Always…Michele
p.s. still praying for you, your doctor and family. And is Heathervescent your daughter’s real name. Unusual but catchy!
Lois Maldonado said,
May 26, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I’m wanting you to know that we are ALL still praying for you, your doctor, your caregivers and your family. St. Therese Marie stopped me this morning and asked if I had anything new to report? She is keeping the Houston Dominicans posted who pray for you several times a day. Keep on, keeping up! We’re anxious to hear your next chapter and we too, are looking for many years of firefly updates.