Nursing home residents and night baths?

U.S.A. Oklahoma

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Hi everyone! I have what may be a simple question, but it is something that disturbs me. I am a new graduate RN and was working for a staffing agency for a while when I was sent to a nursing home (directed towards patients with mental health issues). The aides were getting these patients up (the patients did not request this to my knowledge and it was not a problem of incontinence) and giving the residents baths at 11pm and even some at 3am! I know I don't want to get up at 3am to take a bath, and I was so angry, I didn't allow this to happen again while I was there. My question is, in the state of Oklahoma, is there a law that limits the times that baths can be given? If so, where can I find a copy of the law to have it for ref. purposes? Thank you all.

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I am unaware of any nusring "standard" that prohibits bathing at night. In my experience, it is ok and fair to bathe certain patients at night or early morning depening on situation and family preferrence. I have worked dor facilities that bathe patients at night who are not AOx3.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

There is no legally mandated cutoff time for giving baths/showers to residents in LTC facilities. In other words, they can shower at 7 o'clock in the morning or midnight if they wish.

However, forcing a resident to take a shower at midnight against his/her will could be construed by some state surveyors as a form of abuse.

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