[noelia23RN]

I just had a question for any ICU nurse out there how often do you give a bed bath to an ICU patient by that I mean q 8-12 hours or QD?

[utahliz]

At least Qday, more often if they need it. I work nights and our policy is to give them on nights. However, if a pt. is sweaty, stinky, stooling frequently, bleeding, vomiting, etc., most of our nurses (day or night) will bathe them and change linens, even if it's been done recently.

[RNperdiem]

Baths are done on night shift in our unit. There is an unspoken rule that you hand over a patient who is presentable to the next shift. Unless it has been a really bad day, you will not be given a patient obviously dirty on stained linens, slumped down in bed. Often during the course of the shift, I will change a stained gown or draw sheet. I do a "fluff and puff" on patients in the late afternoon.

[noelia23RN]

thanks for your reply

[meandragonbrett]

We do it qday and PRN. Each room is designated as a "night" or a "day" bath so that you only have one bath due on your your shift.