Definition of Back Care – 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.
Back Care
Definition of Back Care/Massage:
Back care is given following bath 2 hourly, to prevent bedsores for bed ridden patients. Bath gives relaxation to the patient.
Back care may be defined as “Scientific form of massaging the back using different massaging strokes to provide cutaneous stimulation and thus promote comfort”.
Importance/Purpose of Back Care:
1. To prevent bed sore.
2. To relieve muscle tension.
3. To stimulate blood circulation.
4. To promote physical and mental relaxation.
5. To relieve insomnia.
6. To assess the condition of the skin
7. To detect early signs of bed sore.
8. The treat the bed sore in early stage.
9. To improve circulation to this area, thus aiding in the prevention of pressure sores
10. To refresh the patient and relieve fatigue.
Indications of Back Care:
1. Bed ridden patient.
2. Obese patients.
3. Very thin & emaciated patients.
4. Paralyzed patient.
5. Edematous patient.
6. Patients on complete bed rest.
7. Diabetic patient.
8. Malnourished patient.
9. Surgical patient with limited movement.
Contraindications of Back Care:
Patient with-
1. Rib fracture.
2. Burns
3. Immediate postoperative period after coronary artery bypass graft.
4. Patients at risk for developing pressure ulcer
5. Spinal injury 6. Surgeries on back.
Articles Required for Back Care:
A tray containing:
1. A basin or bowl with warm water.
2. Sponge cloths-2
3. Soap and Towel.
4. Surgical spirit or back rub lotion and powder.
5. Mackintosh and towel.
6. Bed site screen
Procedure of Back Care:
A. Articles required for back care
A tray containing
- A basin of warm water
- Sponge cloths-2
- Soap and towel
- Surgical spirit or back rub lotion and powder
- Mackintosh and towel
B. Steps of procedure:
1. Keep the articles near the patient’s bedside on the working side.
2. Close the windows
3. Screen the bed
4. Explain the procedure to the patient
5. Expose only the desired portion
6. Adjust the bed to a comfortable position and turn the patient, the away from the nurse.
7. Adjust light, temperature and sound within the room
8. Switch off the fan
9. Expose back, shoulders, upper arms, and buttocks, and cover the rest of the body.
10. Wash hand with warm water
11. Place the mackintosh and towel on the working side under the patient
12. Use warm water, 105-110 °F, with soap, to clean the area. Massage the area gently, but firmly, in a circular manner for one or two minutes
13. Rinse and dry the part.
14. Apply back rub lotion or surgical spirit. Apply hands first to sacral area, massaging in circular motion. Stroke upward from buttocks to shoulders. Massage over scapula with smooth firm stroke. Continue one smooth stroke to upper arms and laterally along sides of back down to iliac crests. Continue the massage pattern for 3 min. apply powder.
15. End massage with long stroking movements.
16. Turn the patient and massage from the other side
17. Remove the mackintosh and towel, tighten the bed if needed,
18. Dispose the used materials off into a bucket and wash hands
19. Clean the replace the articles
20. Record abnormal signs and symptoms, if any. Record the procedure in the nurses records and report to the ward sister.
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