Shaving cream bed baths?

[HisTreasure, BSN, RN]

I am currently in the middle of my med pass rotation at a community hospital (long term care setting). On the second day I was allowed to pass the meds without direct supervision while the instructor stayed in the hallway with one of the other students quizzing them. Since it was my second day I was in the position of "training" the first day student, who was supposed to follow me around. We were on the last resident of the morning and my classmate went in first. The aide said that the resident was getting a bath and could we wait a minute. The aide finally decided we could pass the meds and she would finish later, so she left the room and when I walked in my classmate was quickly trying the cover up this completely nude woman covered in shaving cream! Once we had completed the pass and were back in the hallway out of earshot of the resident I asked Lu if the resident had been left alone in high position, bed rails down, cold and naked. She replied yes. Because I was so vexed about how the aide left the resident I didn't think about the shaving cream issue, but now I am curious. Is it an everyday accepted practice to wash a person with shaving cream and a damp wash cloth only?

[KrisRNwannabe]

ummm. yeah.... well I can honestly say I have never washed a patient with shaving cream. and I can't see why you would. I am a little more concerned however, with the way the patient was left. the aide got lucky. most of the time you think these little old people are all frail but i have seen some that looked like they couldn't lift their hand. but then they are up and out of that bed in a minute. also if she had all that shaving cream she could have slipped and fell.

Kris

[z's playa]

Holy moly! I don't know whether to laugh or be angry on behalf of the poor resident. The aide clearly needs to be brought up to speed on bathing techniques. We just finished watching our clinical videos/training and no where did it say shaving cream was an essential component when cleansing the body. *shaking head :)

[rpbear]

I have never used shaving cream to wash a person before, but I have used it to remove dried bm from a person. I have also used body lotion to remove dried bm.

As for everything else.....that aid needs a refresher lesson in the proper way to do a bedbath!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

There are skin care products on the market that are a foam cleanser that you wipe off with a damp cloth. They contain skin emollients that prevent dry skin in the elderly. Other products are "bed in a bag" packet of premoistened towlets that you heat in their own microwave type device. All used to clean patients in less time with less skin drying and cross contamination from traditional basin soap and washcloth bathing.

That said , one still is supposed to apply product to only one section of the body at a time and not strip entire person without at least a sheet/towel covering parts of body not being bathed (never find bath blankets in a SNF) due to preventing heat loss and preserving patient dignity.

[z's playa]

Aaah....

It would certainly explain the "shaving cream".

[HisTreasure, BSN, RN]

There are skin care products on the market that are a foam cleanser that you wipe off with a damp cloth. They contain skin emollients that prevent dry skin in the elderly. Other products are "bed in a bag" packet of premoistened towlets that you heat in their own microwave type device. All used to clean patients in less time with less skin drying and cross contamination from traditional basin soap and washcloth bathing.

That said , one still is supposed to apply product to only one section of the body at a time and not strip entire person without at least a sheet/towel covering parts of body not being bathed (never find bath blankets in a SNF) due to preventing heat loss and preserving patient dignity.

Yes, I have seen both of these type products. This in fact WAS shaving cream, the orange COLGATE shaving cream container was still on the bedside table with the dampened cloth strewn next to it. Had I just seen foam I probably wouldn't have given it a second thought...no, it was definitely the shaving cream container with a little spillage hanging from the nozzle that raised an eyebrow. But then perhaps this woman had some whiskers... :stone

[z's playa]

Yes, I have seen both of these type products. This in fact WAS shaving cream, the orange COLGATE shaving cream container was still on the bedside table with the dampened cloth strewn next to it. Had I just seen foam I probably wouldn't have given it a second thought...no, it was definitely the shaving cream container with a little spillage hanging from the nozzle that raised an eyebrow. But then perhaps this woman had some whiskers... :stone

:chuckle ..I'm sorry...I probably shouldnt be laughing but it is kinda funny.

Maybe the aide mistook the bottle for foam cleanser. Maybe the aide couldn't read?

Completely nude in shaving cream...hmmm....

Sounds like an event at a bachelor's party!!!! :rotfl:

[jenrninmi, MSN, RN]

I had a rotation last semester that used shaving cream. The shaving cream contains lanolin and other products that help the skin. It can also reduce the chances of bed sores. Interesting, huh?

I am currently in the middle of my med pass rotation at a community hospital (long term care setting). On the second day I was allowed to pass the meds without direct supervision while the instructor stayed in the hallway with one of the other students quizzing them. Since it was my second day I was in the position of "training" the first day student, who was supposed to follow me around. We were on the last resident of the morning and my classmate went in first. The aide said that the resident was getting a bath and could we wait a minute. The aide finally decided we could pass the meds and she would finish later, so she left the room and when I walked in my classmate was quickly trying the cover up this completely nude woman covered in shaving cream! Once we had completed the pass and were back in the hallway out of earshot of the resident I asked Lu if the resident had been left alone in high position, bed rails down, cold and naked. She replied yes. Because I was so vexed about how the aide left the resident I didn't think about the shaving cream issue, but now I am curious. Is it an everyday accepted practice to wash a person with shaving cream and a damp wash cloth only?

[z's playa]

I had a rotation last semester that used shaving cream. The shaving cream contains lanolin and other products that help the skin. It can also reduce the chances of bed sores. Interesting, huh?

Really? VERY interesting.

[jenrninmi, MSN, RN]

Really? VERY interesting.

During my rotation, one of our assignments was to start research on the ingredients in shaving cream and how it prevents decubes. I believe this semester's rotation at this particular hospital, (a VA home), are actually finishing the research to have it published.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I've also heard it helps reduce body odor in indigent patients. But that's not the case here. Sounds kind of kinky to me. :)