Bed Baths

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• First assemble the following supplies: a basin to hold the bath water, a lightweight cotton or flannel blanket, a bath towel and washcloth, soap, powder, lotion, deodorant, comb or hairbrush, mouth care supplies such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, and clothing such as underwear, a robe, shoes, or slippers.
• Make sure the room is warm; close the windows if necessary. Put the lightweight blanket over the top sheet and pull back the sheet to keep it from getting wet. The blanket will keep the patient warm and give him privacy. Help him undress. During the bath, try to keep him covered with the blanket as much as possible.
• Fill the basin with warm water. Use a bath thermometer to test the temperature of the water. It should be no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't have a thermometer, test the water with your hand.
• Begin the bath with the patient's eyes. Wet the washcloth and gently wipe one eyelid starting at the inner corner of the eye and working your way to the outer corner. Dry the eyelid with a towel. Rinse the washcloth in the water. Wash and dry the other eyelid.
• Using a mild soap, wash the face, neck, and ears. Rinse off the soap and dry the washed areas. Put the towel under an arm. Wash the hand, arm, and underarm. Rinse off the soap and dry the arm well, especially under the arm. Wash, rinse, and dry the other hand and arm.
• Fold down the blanket to wash and dry the chest and stomach. Cover the chest and stomach with the blanket.
• Remove the blanket from one of the legs and put a towel under the leg. Wash, rinse, and dry the leg. Repeat with the other leg.
• The patient may enjoy soaking his feet in a basin. Put a towel under the basin to keep the bed from getting wet, then help the patient put one foot into the basin. You may need to support the leg while washing the foot. Take the foot out of the water and dry it. Put the other foot into the basin. Wash, rinse, and dry the foot.
• Empty the dirty water into the sink. Fill the basin with clean warm water. Warm the lotion by placing the bottle in the water. Ask the patient to roll on his side so you can wash his back. Help him roll if necessary. To prevent a fall, make sure he's not too close to the edge of the bed.
• Put the towel on the bed along the patient's back. Fold down the blanket. Wash the neck, back, buttocks, and thighs. Rinse out the washcloth in the basin and wipe the soap off of the washed areas, then dry them thoroughly. Ask the patient if he would like a back rub with the warmed lotion.
• The perineum (PAIR-ih-NEE-um)---genital area---and the anus are the last to be washed. To prevent odor and infection, they should be cleansed every day.
• Washing a woman's perineum:
• • Empty the dirty water into the sink and refill the basin with clean warm water. Fold the towel in half. Ask the patient to lift her buttocks, then place the towel under them. Have the patient bend her knees and spread her legs. Hold a soapy washcloth in one hand and separate the labia (lips of the vagina) with the other. Wash the labia from front to back. Do not touch the anus with the washcloth. Germs from the anus could get into the vagina and cause an infection.
  • Rinse the washcloth and rinse the perineum. If soap remains, it can irritate the skin. Dry the area with a dry towel. Powder may harden, so do not put it on the perineum.
• Washing a man's perineum:
• • Empty the dirty water into the sink and refill the basin with clean warm water. Ask the patient to lie on his back. Fold the towel in half and put it under his buttocks. Have the patient bend his knees slightly and spread his legs. Hold the penis with one hand. If the man has a foreskin, gently push it back. With the other hand, wash the tip of the penis with a soapy washcloth. Rinse the washcloth and wipe off the penis.
  • With a soapy washcloth, wash the rest of the penis and the scrotum around the testicles. Rinse and dry well.
• Washing the anus:
• • Ask the patient to turn onto his side, facing away from you. If he raises his top leg, you can see and clean the skin around the anus. Slide the towel under his buttocks. Use toilet paper or a paper towel to remove any fecal matter clinging to the skin. You may need to wet the paper if the matter has dried. Discard it in a trash bag. Wash, rinse, and dry the anal area.
• After the bath, rub lotion onto the patient's arms, legs, feet, and other dry skin areas. Help him dress. Offer to help with mouth, hair, foot, or nail care.
• Empty the dirty water, clean the wash basin, and put away the supplies.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You notice red areas or sores on the skin. The patient might have an infection.