How to Wash a Bed-Ridden Patient
Bed-ridden patients need to be bathed on a regular basis because their skin continues to produce oils and sweat, even though they are inactive. Keep your patient clean and comfortable by washing one part at a time and covering the rest of his body with a warm blanket or towel. Here are a few tips to help you give a good sponge-bath.
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Things You'll Need
- Basin of warm water Clean washcloths Extra bedding Warm blankets Warm towels Microfiber or terry cloth towel for hair Soap Shampoo
Instructions
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Remove the patient's clothing, one limb at a time, and cover any exposed skin with a blanket or towel.
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Starting with the fingers and working your way to the armpit, wash and rinse one arm, dry it with a warm towel, and cover it with a blanket. Repeat this process with the other arm.
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Remove bedclothes down to the patient's waist. Wash and dry the chest and abdomen. Cover the patient with a warm towel or blanket as soon as his chest is clean.
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Wash each leg separately, starting with the toes and working up to the hip. Cover the leg with a warm blanket or towel as soon as it is dry.
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Turn the patient on her side and wash her back with a warm, soapy washcloth. Be careful not to roll her too far forward. Rinse her back with a clean cloth, dry, and cover her with a blanket.
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Wash the patient's face in clean, warm water, using a bowl by the bed. Rinse and dry.
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Place the bowl under the patient's head and use a cup of warm water to rinse his hair as you wash. Dry hair as completely as possible with a microfiber or terry cloth towel. Place a warm, dry towel underneath his head to keep the pillow dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Place towels or a blanket underneath your patient before bathing to keep the bedding dry, or strip the sheets after bathing and replace them with clean bedding.
Never leave a patient exposed to a chill. Be sure to keep any parts that are not being bathed covered with a warm towel or blanket.
Resources
- Photo Credit morguefile.com
