Written by Mike Price, OT
Choosing the right hospital bed sheets and bedding is essential for anyone spending significant time in a hospital bed. Proper sheets not only ensure comfort but also promote healthy skin and cleanliness, contributing to a more restful experience. Since hospital beds have unique dimensions, this guide explores the best options for specially sized linens and bedding, along with top product recommendations to help you find the perfect fit!
Before buying sheets for your hospital bed, several key factors must be considered. We've compiled a list of the most important considerations to help guide your decision.
Hospital bed mattresses typically range from 6 to 9 inches in depth, with pressure relief mattresses often being even thicker. If adding a mattress cover or topper, consider the extra height to select the right sheet size.
Standard beds are typically 80 inches long, but bariatric or extra-large beds can extend to 84 inches. Knowing the exact size of your mattress is crucial before purchasing hospital bed sheets.
Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count, the better the quality and comfort of the sheet. In clinical settings, standard hospital bed sheets typically have a thread count of 130, which is on the lower end and helps institutions manage costs. Higher-quality hospital bed sheets can have a thread count of up to 180, offering increased softness and durability compared to lower thread-count options.
Hospital bed mattresses aren’t the most comfortable, so toppers or overlays are often added to create a softer and more restful sleep environment. Mattress overlays can also aid in pressure distribution to protect the skin from pressure ulcers.
Dust mites like to make themselves at home in sheets and pillowcases. Hypoallergenic sheets made of organic cotton, wool, or microfiber keep dust mites away and create a healthier and more restful sleep space for people with dust mite allergies.
Whether in an assisted living facility or caring for someone at home, purchasing hospital bed sheets in bulk is more convenient and cost-effective if you frequently change bedding. Many of our hospital bed sheets are available for bulk purchase, making it easier to keep a steady supply on hand!
Bed bug mattress covers differ from regular mattress protectors by encasing the entire mattress in an impermeable barrier. This barrier prevents existing bed bugs from escaping or multiplying and keeps new ones from infesting the mattress. Made from durable materials like tough cotton and equipped with sturdy seals, these covers offer reliable protection.
Skin shearing occurs when delicate skin is subjected to repeated friction, leading to bedsores. Treating and preventing bedsores involves using a pressure relief mattress and breathable sheets, such as percale or bamboo, designed to fit deeper mattresses. Some specialty hospital bed sheets also feature anti-friction panels to help reposition patients without causing skin shear. Ensuring that sheets fit correctly and don’t bunch up when the bed is adjusted is crucial in keeping patients properly positioned and reducing the risk of bedsores.
The most durable and comfortable hospital bed sheets are made of cotton or a cotton/polyester blend. These breathable sheets help patients stay cool and are durable enough to be washed and dried multiple times while remaining soft and comfortable.
Although bed skirts are available for hospital beds, they aren’t recommended since they can get caught in the bed while it’s being adjusted or add to the risk of a fall if a patient gets tangled up with a bed skirt.
Properly fitted sheets specifically sized for hospital beds are the best choice for ensuring comfort and ease when making the bed. These sheets are designed to fit non-standard mattresses, providing a better fit and a more restful environment compared to trying to use standard sheets.
Check out our quality hospital bedding at Rehabmart.com to shop for hospital bed sheets and accessories. Discover the features, pros, and cons of each hospital bed sheet to make an informed purchasing decision that’s right for you!
Standard twin sheets are not designed to fit a hospital bed correctly. Using sheets that are too small can prevent proper bed making, with fitted sheets slipping off the mattress and potentially getting tangled with the patient. This increases the risk of falls when getting out of bed. On the other hand, sheets that are too large won’t stay tucked in, leading to entanglement or tripping hazards for patients if the excess fabric hangs off the bed.
Hospitals typically use thermal blankets because they are lightweight and effectively trap heat, helping maintain body temperature without bulky linens. Additionally, thermal blankets are easy to clean, making them a practical choice for healthcare settings.
The sheet length ranges from 80 to 84 inches, while the width of bariatric-size hospital bed sheets can range from 42 to 48 inches.
Sheet straps help keep bedding in place on a hospital bed. For fitted sheets, the straps clip on the sheet corners under the mattress to give the elastic of the fitted sheet extra stability. For non-fitted sheets, straps are clipped on each side of the sheet under the mattress or attached to the corners diagonally.
Standard-sized hospital bed sheets are generally 80 inches long and 36 inches wide, fitting standard mattresses that are usually between 6 and 7 inches deep. Regular twin and twin XL sheets will not fit a hospital bed mattress.
Generally, the three basic types of sheets for hospital beds are draw sheets, fitted sheets, and flat sheets. Ideally, you will have one of each of these sheet types.
 | White Muslin Draw Soft Sheets by Medline View Product |
People who spend most of their time in bed are at risk of developing pressure sores, so caregivers often need to assist with repositioning. However, this essential task can be physically straining or cause harm to the caregiver if done improperly.
A drawsheet is a small sheet placed across the middle of the mattress and can make patient transfer or repositioning easier. Covering the area between the patient’s upper back and thighs, a drawsheet allows the caregiver to gently and safely turn the patient with less effort. These sheets, typically made of cotton, plastic, or rubber, are about half the size of a regular sheet.
Best Drawsheet: White Muslin Draw Soft Sheets by Medline
.jpg&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "Fitted Sheets for Hospital Beds") | Fitted Sheets for Hospital Beds View Product |
A properly sized fitted sheet is essential for the patient's comfort, especially for an adjustable hospital bed. A sheet that's too short won't stretch to fit, and a sheet that's too long will be difficult to keep tucked under the mattress, making correct measurements crucial. When choosing a fitted sheet, it's important to consider the mattress length and depth, including any cover or topper that adds height.
Best Fitted Sheet: Fitted Sheets for Hospital Beds
 | DermaTherapy Standard Sheets View Product |
Correctly sized sheets aren’t just about comfort. They can impact safety as well. Undersized sheets can come loose and get bunched up under a patient, causing friction and risking a skin wound. Oversized sheets can fall to the floor, creating a tripping hazard, and they can also gather under the patient causing discomfort. A standard top sheet for hospital beds is 66 inches x 104 inches.
Best Flat Sheet: DurmaTherapy Standard Sheets
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are other types of linens you can find for hospital beds.
For convenience, you can purchase matching sheet sets specifically sized to accommodate adjustable hospital beds. In addition to the flat and fitted sheets, these coordinated sets also include pillowcases and often blankets.
Best Sheet Set: Hermell Products Hospital Bed Sheet Set
 | McKesson Jersey Knit Bariatric Bed Sheets - Hospitex View Product |
Bariatric-sized hospital beds are standard hospital bed lengths of 80 or sometimes 84 inches, but they are 42 to 48 inches wide. Significantly wider than standard hospital beds, they require specially sized bariatric sheets to provide a comfortable and restful environment for the patient.
Best Bariatric Hospital Sheets: McKesson Jersey Knit Bariatric Bed Sheets - Hospitex
 | Medline Herringbone Hospital Blankets View Product |
The best hospital bed blankets are soft, cozy, and hold up well in the laundry. They are lightweight but insulating to provide warmth without being cumbersome for patients or caregivers.
 | Gray Disposable Blankets for Emergencies, Polyester & Cellulose Construction. Easy to Dispose, Pack of 10, by Medline View Product |
Disposable linens are designed to prevent cross-contamination. Since they are discarded after use, the exposure of other people to contaminants on the sheets is decreased. The single-use construction means no laundering and no patient-to-patient contamination. Caregivers can minimize contact with anything on the sheets by not having to launder them.
Best Disposable Linen: Gray Disposable Emergency Blankets by Medline
 | DMI Protective Mattress Cover View Product |
Waterproof mattress covers are usually made of vinyl and PVC, PEVA and EVA, or Polyurethane. They are impermeable barriers that keep mattresses protected from spills and body fluids. This keeps contaminants from seeping into the mattress, maintaining a healthier sleep environment and ensuring the mattress will last longer.
Best Waterproof Mattress Cover: DMI Protective Mattress Cover
 | WendyLean Pillowcase from Handicare View Product |
Pillow protectors promote a healthy sleeping environment by keeping allergens, mold, mildew, bed bugs, and dust mites from getting into pillows. They can be washable or disposable to maintain a hygienic sleep space.
Best Pillow Protector: WendyLean Pillowcase from Handicare
Quality sleep is essential to optimal health, and creating the best sleep environment significantly contributes to overall well-being. For those spending extended periods in hospital beds, comfort is equally important during waking hours. Factors such as temperature, skin friction, and surface softness play a crucial role in a patient’s skin health and comfort.
Choosing the right hospital bed linens can greatly impact comfort and help prevent skin issues associated with prolonged bed rest. Properly sized sheets with a higher thread count stay in place, reducing the risk of skin irritation and trip hazards, while keeping the patient warm and cozy in breathable comfort.
Time spent in bed is not time wasted. Resting and sleeping in comfort are vital to good health. Choose the hospital bed for home care and sheets that provide the most comfort to create the most restful environment for you.
For more information on hospital beds, check out our article How To Choose a Hospital Bed For Home Care, where you'll find everything you need to know about choosing the best bed, mattress, and accessories. Also, explore Caregiver University for a wealth of resourceful articles on aging in place, fall prevention, pain management, and so much more!
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
