Bed Bath – Nursing is a profession within the healthcare sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from other healthcare providers by their approach to patient care, training, and scope of practice. Nurses practice in many specialisms with differing levels of prescriber authority.
Many nurses provide care within the ordering scope of physicians, and this traditional role has shaped the public image of nurses as care providers. However, nurses are permitted by most jurisdictions to practice independently in a variety of settings depending on training level. In the postwar period, nurse education has undergone a process of diversification towards advanced and specialized credentials, and many of the traditional regulations and provider roles are changing.
Nurses develop a plan of care, working collaboratively with physicians, therapists, the patient, the patient’s family, and other team members, that focus on treating illness to improve quality of life. Nurses may help coordinate the patient care performed by other members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team such as therapists, medical practitioners, and dietitians. Nurses provide care both interdependently, for example, with physicians, and independently as nursing professionals.
Bed Bath
Definition of Bathing:
Bathing is the washing of the body with a fluid, usually water or an aqueous solution, or the immersion of the body in water. It may be practiced for personal hygiene, religious ritual or therapeutic purposes.
or
Bathing is the hygiene practice in which a cleaning agent, such as soap and water are used to remove wat, oil, dirt and microorganisın from the skin. These are-
- Cleaning bath
- Therapeutic Bath
Definition of Bed Bath:
It is the bathing of the patient who is confined to bed.
or
Cleaning of the entire body of a dependent patient in the bed is called bed bath.
Bed bath is defined as cleansing the skin of patient who is confined to bed and who does not have the physical and mental capability of self-bathing.
Purpose of Bed Bath:
1. To clean the skin
2. To minimize skin irritation
3. To reduce chances of skin infection
4. To stimulate circulation
5. To prevent contracture by giving exercise
6. To promote relaxation and feeling of well-being
7. To observe the patient physical and mental status
8. To provide comfort
9. To relieve fatigue
10. To remove unpleasant odor due to perspiration
11. To induce sleep
12. To regulate body temperature
13. To maintain an effective nurse patient relationship and to give health instruction to patient.
14. To prevent bed sore
Indication/Types of Patient Needing Bed Bath
1. Unconscious patient, semi-conscious patient
2. Operated patients
3. Patients with strict bed rest
4. Paraplegic patients
5. Seriously ill patient
6. Orthopedic patients in plaster cast and traction
7. Seriously ill patients
Procedure for Giving Bed Bath:
A. Articles required:
1. Two bath blankets
2. Basin-2, soap with soap dish
3. Sponge cloths -4
4. Towels-2
5. Bucket-1
6. Small towel-1
7. Surgical sprit or back care lotion
8. Powder
9. Seizures and nail file
10. Bath thermometer-1
B. Steps of procedure
1. Close the windows and screen the bed, switch off the fan
2. Offer the patient a bed pan
3. Explain the procedure to the patient
4. Place the required articles at the bed side locker
5. Wash hands
6. Cover the patient with a sheet or bath blanket
7. Remove personal clothing
8. Wash hands
9. Mix hot and cold water in the basin and check the temperature on the back of the hand or use bath thermometer, it should be around 110-115°F.
10. Place the face towel under the chin and wash the patients face and neck giving particular attention to knows eyes and mouth cleaning the ears (outside and inside) carefully with soap. Shine and dry the part on a face towel, observe eye, nose, lips and ears for any abnormalities.
C. Aftercare of articles:
1. Remove all apparatus from the room, open windows and doors. Remove the screen, switch off the fan and if permitted, give him a hot drink
2. Give sheet or bath blankets for washing.
3. Soiled linen should be sent to laundry
4. Clean the articles with soap and water dry them and place them in their usual places
5. Wash hands
D. Recording and reporting
Record the procedure in the nurse record book with date and time report abnormalities observed.
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