What are draw sheets used for? and the benefit of using the draw sheets
Draw sheets are small bed sheets that cover the area between a person's upper back and thighs by placing them crosswise over the bottom sheet of the mattress. In hospitals and healthcare facilities, draw sheets are used to move patients. In terms of size, it's about half the size of a regular sheet and can be made of plastic, rubber, or cotton.
Draw sheet for hospital beds or lift sheets is used to lift immobile patients out of bed in the medical industry. In most cases, these sheets consist of two parts: a cotton sheet over a rubber sheet. A hospital bed fitted sheet, unnoticeable by a prone patient, supports the body from the upper back to mid-thigh during lifting. These lift sheets provide a more evenly distributed weight, decreasing the discomfort a patient feels even though it requires two people to lift them.
A draw sheet falls into the same category as stretchers and gurneys as medical equipment designed to move patients safely. Unlike the previous two examples, a draw sheet is not used during emergencies requiring the patient to remain completely immobile. Draw sheets should only be used in a controlled medical environment with a stable patient under the care of a physician or another medical professional.
A rubber bottom layer is often used in hospitals and other medical institutions, such as nursing homes, to add extra support to their draw sheets. Lifting heavier patients is made easier with this feature. It is also guaranteed that the sheet won't rip and the patient won't fall if a layer of rubber is added.
Benefits of using the draw sheets
The process of lifting a patient by using hospital flat sheets is relatively straightforward. Two people must stand on opposite sides of the bed to attach the sheet to the patient's back and thighs. An elderly patient or one with difficulty breathing may benefit from having a third person support their head when they are lifted together. A new bed is provided for the patient after lifting, or other professionals will change the existing bed after the patient has been lifted. If the patient is lying down again, the draw sheet can either be tucked into the bed or left hanging off the sides until the next movement is made.
Lifting a patient with bare hands has some obvious disadvantages compared to using a draw sheet. A benefit of the sheet is that it distributes the patient's weight evenly, so there are fewer pressure points. This method makes the patient less likely to sustain bruising or other injuries when lifting heavy objects. However, it is essential to note that a draw sheet provides the highest degree of safety when moving a stable patient in a hospital setting. The absence of distractions, such as those that cause physical harm to the individual lifting the patient, allows lifters to lift the patient without fear of causing physical harm.
