Shaving cream bed baths?

[HisTreasure]

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?

[Nurse2B2005]

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. :)

I have heard the same thing. When a patient is really stinky and no matter how much soap and water can't get rid of the smell, we turn to the shaving cream. It actually does help get rid of the stink. I don't use it all the time though, only in extreme instances.

[mattsmom81]

Shaving cream has lanolin, is easy on the skin, loosens dried whatever, and smells good. I can think of worse things to use for light cleansing.

The issue in your story is naked patient left alone, bed high.

[DidiRN]

That's why we use it too, get alot of real stinkies. But I have seen some of them after using it just go ahead and routinely use it on everyone, because they say it gives them a "nice smell."

I have heard the same thing. When a patient is really stinky and no matter how much soap and water can't get rid of the smell, we turn to the shaving cream. It actually does help get rid of the stink. I don't use it all the time though, only in extreme instances.

[Morguein]

I use shaving cream on my very smelly patients....especially my "head" patients. Our neuro patients tend to have a very distinct yeasty smell which is almost impossible to get rid of. The shaving cream has such a strong smell, that it really helps to get rid of the stinky smell.

[studentnurse74, LPN, LVN]

I haven't seen shaving cream used for baths, but I have seen people squirt some into a basin full of water to clean bm. It really helps with the smell.

[chip193]

Shaving cream works great! It's the choice for those patients that we bathe in the ER.

Well, that and baby shampoo.

Chip

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Strange but true ... shaving cream can work wonders on BM, and it's certainly kinder than "scrubbing" frail, elderly skin.

I suspect this aide had some "drive by" orientation, as in "you can start bathing the patients in rooms ___ to ____ ... there's some shaving cream there if you need it."

Clearly more training is in order here. :stone

[HisTreasure, BSN, RN]

Well, see there? Ask a question, learn something new! :) Indeed, the major issue was the patient's safety (or lack thereof) however the shaving cream had thrown me for a loop! Thanks for all of your insights. I don't think I will be bathing anyone in shaving cream any time soon (thanks Z's playa, now I am having visions of elderly strippers in a plastic pool full of foam :uhoh21: ) but I shall remember it next time I do a c-diff change!

[DDRN4me]

hmmm...sounds like a fun thing to try!!! dh is reading this saying hmmmmmm:uhoh3: