Postpartum pericare

[rn4babies63]

We are considering revising our postpartum pericare instructions for cost effectiveness. Currently we are instructing our patients to do the following:

Wet 3 wipes and put antibacterial soap on them, wipe front to back x1 with each, rinse with peribottle, pat dry. Apply betadine three times a day. This is for vag deliveries as well as c/s's. In addition, the vag's use Dermoplast, hydrocortisone cream, tucks and sitz bath prn.

The other hospital I work at simply instructs patients to rinse with peri bottle then Dermoplast, tucks and sitz prn.

How does your hospital instruct your postpartum patients on pericare? I am going to take this information to our director so your feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[NurseNora, BSN, RN]

Warm water in the peri bottle, pat dry (remind them front to back). No special antibacterial stuff added.

We don't use Sitz baths enough. Sometimes you have to push to get a patient with a sore bottom to try it, but once she does, she's grateful you insisted.

So save a lot of money and change your hospital's old way of doing things. You might want to do a literature search on perineal healing to back up your findings here. If there are other hospitals in your area, check with them as well.