Body Vac

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Specializes in LTC since 1972, team leader, supervisor,.

Our facility just got donated 10 Body Vac in bed bathing systems. It is kinda of like a vacum cleaner if you ask me. You fill the tank with warm water, it has a temperature gauge on it and will give an error message if it is too hot. Room temperature takes about 15 minutes to warm the water. It has a place to put the soap/shampoo in. You also have to use defoming solution in the tank. The DON and I tried 2 different models, they donated 10 of these to our facility--brand new. Both the DON and I thought that the bath felt cold, the water was warm, but the sution causes the air to feel cool. If this system works it would be great for residents who are bedbound. I was wondering if anyone out there has used the Body Vac system. Currently all 10 are in the classroom, the saleman is going to provide the DVD that goes with them--maybe we are doing something wrong, but we followed the directions word for word.

If any one out there has used this system I would like some imput about it, at this point we have 10 units collecting dust because if I was the one getting a cold bath, I would surely complain.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

never heard of it. Ask mfg. rep for references on other customers.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

I have never heard of them.I checked them out at their web site and they sound wonderful.I hope they work for you-If you want to unload one I'll give you a donation....:redbeathe

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sounds lie a carpet shampooer..the conce[pt sure seems interesting

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Personally I think it sounds creepy. We are all supposed to be moving to resident centered more home like care. I don't know anybody who has a vacuum in their homes with which to bathe.

Although I did have a big hairy dog once who wouldn't let me vacuum the floor until I vacuumed her...had to rake her before I raked the leaves, too...very odd creature.

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This sounds like it might be scary for an elderly sick person. Also bathing is a good time to inspect skin, but I'm not sure you can inspect/protect fragile while pt is in this vacuum bath.

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Specializes in LTC since 1972, team leader, supervisor,.

It is not a bath tub, it actually looks like a vacum, water is sprayed out and sucked up at the same time with any debris on the skin. It also has a urine collection feature where you get the proper attachment and when the resident feels the urge to urinate, they urinate and then you push a button on the attachment and water is sprayed and vacumed up. My problem with it is 1. it feels cold-the water is warm, but the air being sucked in feels cold. 2 Why would you bath someone with the same machine you use for urine collection. 3. To clean it between residents the attachment used, the water receptacle, and the vacum tube have to be soaked for 30 minutes in 50 X diluted clorine bleach. 4. It takes 15 minutes to warm the water up before you start. 5. It is loud, just like your vacum at home. I am just trying to find out if anyone else has used these products. All 10 units, which cost over $3,000 a piece are sitting in the classroom. I do not feel comfortable trying them on residents until I hear someone else has tried them. The day the DON and I did try them ourselves we were not impressed. They were donated by a family member who I guess is a company rep.

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Hi, I am actually the guy who donated the Body Vacs hopefully you watched the DVD and figured out how to make the water temp higher. If anyone is interested in purchasing one of these i have 3 left and i am closing them out for close to nothing. They retail for $3400 and i am getting rid of them for my cost which is $500. They come with a 5 year warranty. if anyone is interested in getting more info on them call me at 815-222-1899 my name is Ross.

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it has been a while since i am sure any one has read anything about these machines but I was not sure if they were being used properely. The Key is to fill with hot water first and then use when the hot water cools slightly, which should only take about 5 mins. The machine has a seperate tank for urine and other contaminants and does not mix with the tube for water and soap. I have one machine left and would let some one have it for $200 which is almost giving it away. please contact me at my number listed above.

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU, Psych, Med-surg...etc....

I think it sounds like a carpet cleaner too...while the theory behind the thing sounds ok, residents deserve a good soaking tub bath or a nice warm shower. I think it is rather creepy though.

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Specializes in LTC.
It is not a bath tub, it actually looks like a vacum, water is sprayed out and sucked up at the same time with any debris on the skin. It also has a urine collection feature where you get the proper attachment and when the resident feels the urge to urinate, they urinate and then you push a button on the attachment and water is sprayed and vacumed up. My problem with it is 1. it feels cold-the water is warm, but the air being sucked in feels cold. 2 Why would you bath someone with the same machine you use for urine collection. 3. To clean it between residents the attachment used, the water receptacle, and the vacum tube have to be soaked for 30 minutes in 50 X diluted clorine bleach. 4. It takes 15 minutes to warm the water up before you start. 5. It is loud, just like your vacum at home. I am just trying to find out if anyone else has used these products. All 10 units, which cost over $3,000 a piece are sitting in the classroom. I do not feel comfortable trying them on residents until I hear someone else has tried them. The day the DON and I did try them ourselves we were not impressed. They were donated by a family member who I guess is a company rep.

I don't think my CNAs would like to use something like this. I don't think my residents would like it either. It would take too long to clean, and just our luck we would be out of bleach or the machine would break or something.

Suppose the resident has a wound or really fragile skin. Is the suction strong?

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