This is the act of cleaning a patient who is bedridden and solely dependent on the nurse to maintain his/her self-care needs.

Aims

·         Cleanse body of dirt, debris and perspiration

·         Stimulate circulation

·         Regulate body temperature

·         Relax patient and induce sleep

·         Remove unpleasant odours and toxic substances from the body

·         Minimize skin irritation

·         Improve general muscular tone and joint

 

Requirements

A trolley containing the following:

Top Shelf

·         Two basins or bowls

·         Sponge

·         Soap in a dish

·         Towel

·         Pomade

·         Bath thermometer

·         Bottom shelf

·         Two jugs of water (hot and cold)

·         Bucket or bowel for used water

·         Receptacle for soiled linen

·         Long mackintosh

·         Bath blanket or sheet

·         Clean bedsheet or linen

·         Patient’s clothing

·         Bed pan or urinal

Steps

1.        Establish rapport with patient (Refer to steps)

2.      Explain the procedure to the patient and provide privacy

3.      Perform hand hygiene

4.      Prepare and take trolley to bedside

5.      Offer bedpan or urinal if required

6.      Loosen and remove top bed clothes and arranges on a chair/bed table

7.       Remove patient’s clothes and cover him/her with a bed linen

8.      Protect bed and pillow with long mackintosh and a bath towel/blanket

9.      Maintain individuality of patients by asking him/her if he/she would like soap on the face, temperature of water or if he/she will like to clean the genitalia himself/herself

10.    Wash, rinse and dry patient’s face beginning from the inner to the outer canthus of each eye

11.      Wash, rinse and dry the rest of the face, ears and neck

12.    Wash, rinse and dry patient’s arm farther away from the nurse

13.    Wash, rinse and dry patient’s arm near to the nurse

14.    Wash, rinse and dry the chest and abdomen paying attention to the skin folds

15.    Wash, rinse and dry the legs in the same way as the arms

16.    Turn patient on his/her sides and wash, rinse and dry the back

17.    Examine and treat pressure areas

18.    Turn patient on his/her side, remove long mackintosh and change bottom linen

19.    Clean patient’s genitalia (performs vulva toileting if a female)

20.  Groom and dress patient in clean clothes

21.    Make bed and reposition patient

22.  Dispose off used items and decontaminate trolley and used linen

23.  Perform hand hygiene

24.  Document procedure and report findings (manual or electronic)