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Wed 15 Feb, 2006 11:00 pm
Bathing?
I'm a student nurse just finishing up my precepting. I have a rather basic question...Is anyone aware of any studies done regarding infection control and bathing? There was disagreement regarding the importance of daily bathing. I belive that if a patient normally bathes every other day rather than daily due to dry skin or psorisis that there is no reason to insist they bathe daily. The nurse I was working with was adamant that bathing daily is a healthy habit and should be enforced.
If I'm wrong I'll step back, but if there is research either way I'm going to keep on doing what I've always done.
Thanks for the input.
bathing
Don't you think this is an individual decision based on need. Sure daily hygiene is required, toothbrushing, spit bath whatever. But a full bath/shower may not be. Most of us personally like the daily shower and the feeling of being clean. Especially if you work the floor.
However for those who aren't as mobile or get 'dirty', every other day would be fine. I imagine your colleague is expressing more of a personal opinion rather than scientific nursing knowlege.
perhaps you could agree to disagree. Not win or lose.
I will tell you that Federal Regulations for Long-Term Care facilities encourage "person-centered bathing" schedules, which means that as long as the skin is in clean condition, without odors, no bathing is required. If you can, find a copy of "Bathing Without a Battle" for more information.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0826115071/ref=sib_rdr_ex/002-3974706-9577618?%5Fencoding=UTF8&p=S00J&j=0#reader-page
bathing
I also recommend this video. We use it as part of NA orientation in long term care. It's premise applies to all kinds of cares, not just bathing. Not sure if you were originally talking about a colleague, young patient, or elderly patient which would be different.
J
Not only do showers and baths clean the skin, they also stimulate and increase circulation in the skin. Baths and showers can also cause dry skin which can lead to chapping and irritation of the skin. If a patient suffers from urinary or bowel incontinence or is diaphoretic a daily bath and frequent skin care is generally needed. For some patients, especially those with dry and chapped skin bathing 2 or 3 times per week is sufficient and helps promote healing of dry and chapped skin.
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