It's a question we are often asked at Direct Textile Store, what size sheets go on a hospital bed? The hospital sheets you choose for your hospital bed can make a huge difference in the comfort and health of your patients. Since hospital sheets are in touch with the patient’s skin for long periods of time it is crucial to select the right sheets for your patient’s needs. In this blog post we'll review what size sheets go on a hospital bed so you can have confidence you are choosing the right ones.
Selecting the Right Size Sheets for Your Hospital Bed
There are generally three types of sheets used for hospital beds, draw sheets, flat sheets and fitted sheets. A draw sheet is a small bed sheet placed crosswise over the middle of the bottom sheet of a mattress to cover the area between the person's upper back and thighs. Draw sheets are also often used by medical staff to cover patients while they are moving them out of their room. They usually consist of cotton and polyester blends. Popular sizes for draw sheets include 42" x 72", 54" x 72", 54" x 81", 54" x 90".
A hospital flat bed sheet is overlocked around the mattress edges to form four seams. One of the seams is wider than the other three and helps with adjusting the sheet correctly on the mattress. The wider seam goes at the head end of the mattress. A hospital flat sheet is can be used as a top sheet to keep your duvet cover or blanket from getting dirty, reducing how often you need to launder it. Flat sheets work great for helping to keep bedding clean. Flat sheets typically come in the following sizes: 60" x 104", 60" x 108", 66" x 104", 66" x 108", 66" X 115". (measure Width x Length)
Fitted bed sheets offer a tight fit over your mattress to give a tidy and comfortable layer. A hospital fitted sheet has elastic bands sewed into the seam of the sheet material that provide flexibility for tucking in each of its corners. Fitted hospital sheets are measured in inches (Width x Length x Depth). Fitted sheets typically come in the following sizes: 30" x 75" x 6", 36" x 80" x 7, 36" x 84" x 7", 36" x 84" x 9", 36" x 88" x 9", 39" x 75" x 7", 39" x 80" x 7", 42" x 80" x 9", 48" x 80" x 9".
Knitted fitted hospital bed sheets are made, on the other hand of a single yarn strand that’s knitted into loop rows. Knitted hospital bed sheets are usually more stretchy and elastic than the woven ones and typically stretch to fit the mattress. They are also thicker, softer and warmer. Knitted fitted sheets are also measured in Width x Length X Depth. Unlike a woven fitted sheet, these are listed in fabric ounces instead of a thread count.
Hospital bed sheets are typically made in 55% cotton and 45% polyester blend. Thread count (TC) is a measure of the coarseness or fineness of a fabric. The T number is the number of threads woven together in a horizontal and vertical orientation per square inch. The higher the thread count the higher the quality sheet. For example, T180 sheets and pillow cases come in a 180 thread count, for lasting durability and exceptional comfort. They are also manufactured to the highest standards to ensure the best whiteness, hand feel, and durability, made with 40s ring spun yarns with a 55% cotton/ 45% polyester blend.
T-128, are low thread count sheets and are considered economy sheets and pillows cases. They usually are thinner and are made of less cotton and more polyester blends.
MicroLux™ Microfiber white hospital sheets are created with thousands of soft microfibers creating the ultimate comfort that compares to T-1000 linens. The innovative MicroLux™ fabic not only provides the best comfort, but saves time and money by drying quicker and lasting up to two times longer than blended cotton/poly linens in the institutional and commercial laundering process. Wrinkle resistant with the longest durability - lasts 2x Longer than Blended Linens and provides the highest stain resistance and bright white color retention. 120 GSM Fabric Wholesale Microfiber Sheets – Microlux 100% MicroLux™ Microfiber Fabric (compares to 1000 Thread Count).
Bariatric size hospital bed sheets are wider than standard hospital beds. The lengths are typically the same, anywhere from 80" to 84" long; however, a standard bariatric bed typically measures 42 inches wide. And there are even wider bariatric beds that measure 48 inches wide. Made to fit multiple sizes of mattresses. Assortment of knit types and weights (listed in ounces) to match your patients need. Bariatric sheet sizes include: 39 x 84 x 14, 42 x 82 x 14, 42 x 86 x 14, 48 x 86 x 14.
Stretcher sheets are soft and comfortable, made to fit stretchers. Assortment of sizes and weights (listed in ounces) to match your every need. Fitted stretcher sheets are made of knitted 55% cotton 45% polyester fabric. Sizes include: 30 x 80 x 11, 26 x 76 x 9, 30 x 80 x 11.
Bassinet and crib sheets. Bassinet sheets are designed to fit a 20" x 28" mattress. Crib sheets are designed to fit a 24" x 42" mattress. Sizes include: 13 x 27 x 2, 21 x 28 x 2, 28 x 52 x 5, 30 x 60 x 5, 28 x 52 x 5.
When choosing sheets for a home hospital bed, pay attention to the size of the bed and the thickness of the mattress. Undersized sheets will easily come loose, especially when raising or lowering adjustable hospital beds. A loose sheet can gather under the patient, causing discomfort, as well as, excessive chafing.
Which thread count is best for hospital sheets? It really depends on your needs. Within the healthcare industry, economy sheets with lower thread counts are often purchased to keep linen costs to a minimum, while higher thread counts can ensure sheets are durable enough to be washed many, many times over.
Direct Textile Store® offers a wide selection of healthcare textiles including bed sheets. If you have additional questions feel free to contact our textile consultants for assistance.
Direct Textile Store ships to all US states, including Alaska and Hawaii, US Territories, Canada, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St. Croix.
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Merchandising Specialist
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