← Back
Psychology, family and everyday life

How to prepare the bed: a clean and safe place to sleep

People spend a third of the day in bed, and more during treatment. A clean, comfortable and safe bed protects the skin and improves sleep.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A neatly made bed with white linen beside a window
Figure 1.A clean, comfortable bed

01Short answer

Wash your hands, then put on clean bedding. Put a waterproof, washable protector on the mattress; it is easy to clean after sweating, vomiting or bleeding. Change bedding usually once a week, and straight away after sweating, fever or soiling. Do not shake dirty bedding, because it lifts dust and germs into the air; roll it up gently. By the bed: a lamp, water, a thermometer, a phone and a way to call for help. The bed height should let you sit with your feet on the floor. If possible, someone else changes the bed while the patient is out of it.

02Simple explanation

Wash hands first.

A waterproof protector.

Weekly and when soiled.

Do not shake.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: during neutropenia, cleanliness and hand hygiene help prevent infection.

NCI: chemotherapy can lower neutrophils, platelets and red cells, which raises the risk of infection, bleeding and fatigue.

04What happens in the body?

Sweat

With night sweats, keep a spare set ready.

Height

A bed that is too high raises the risk of falls.

Neutrophils

The first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.

Platelets

Help blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

05Daily protection: four steps

Wash, protect, check, report.

Wash — Hands and personal hygiene.1WashHands and personal hygiene.
Protect — Against injury and infection.2ProtectAgainst injury and infection.
Check — Temperature and skin.3CheckTemperature and skin.
Report — Tell your team about changes.4ReportTell your team about changes.
HygieneClean hands.
TemperatureThe 38 °C threshold.
ProtectionYour team's rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
SweatWith night sweats, keep a spare set ready.
HeightA bed that is too high raises the risk of falls.
NeutrophilsThe first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.
PlateletsHelp blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

07Key terms

Mattress protector
A cover that protects the mattress from moisture.
Bedding
Sheet, pillowcase and duvet cover.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • Wash hands.
  • Protector.
  • Change.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

Should the patient make the bed?

If tired, let someone else do it.

What should be changed most often?

The pillowcase.

What should I watch every day?

Temperature, bleeding, tiredness and the catheter site; tell your team about any change.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Should the patient make the bed?

  2. What should be changed most often?

  3. What should I watch every day?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  2. National Cancer Institute. Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia) and Cancer Treatment
  3. National Cancer Institute. Anemia and Cancer Treatment
  4. World Health Organization. World Hand Hygiene Day
  5. National Cancer Institute (NCI). When Your Parent Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens
  6. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Caring for the Caregiver
  7. Macmillan Cancer Support. Infection
  8. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Taking Time: Support for People With Cancer
  9. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Psychological Stress and Cancer
  10. American Cancer Society. What a Cancer Caregiver Does
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
Last updated: ← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →