The "Bath Wars"

[skd1019]

I work in a 40-bed inpatient hospice setting, and our ongoing "bath wars" have me frazzled. Our nursing assistants complain constantly that the NA's on other shifts don't do their fair share of patient baths. (The current policy is that day shift NA's do odd-numbered rooms, evening NA's do even-numbered, night NA's bathe patients who are LOC 4.) However, fingers still point at other shifts, and a lot of grumbling goes on. Shift RN's are also now reporting that the NA's are so relentlessly focused on cranking out their required baths, they are glaringly unavailable to help with the unscheduled tasks that come up each day (answering call lights, feeding patients, helping to the bathroom, etc.)

My opinion is that most hospice patients do not need a full shower/bath daily. (Special circumstances aside.) My initial idea is to make the general rule that all patients get the basics (hands/face/peri/underarms) daily on each shift. The shift RN can then delegate to the NA which of his/her patients need a full bath. Any other ideas/comments? Help me end the "Bath Wars" once and for all!!

[happthearts]

Can you legally only bathe your patients once per week? In Kentucky we have to bathe our residents twice a week.

By law a PT can refuse to bath up to 1 month then it becomes a health issue.

I personally think with some hospice Pt's it takes too much out of them to bath and there skin getting too dried out from bathing.

When there getting closer to the end of life They have a tendency to get more sweaty and need more partial baths more often .

In the winter months the elderly don't seem to need to bath as much where the weather is cold because of the drying out of the skin.As long as the face peri-care hands & etc are being done as they get soiled or as need .

If it was up to me it would be baths 3 times in summer or hot months and winter 2 times a week with lotion care as needed.

just my thought

[Nesher, BSN, RN]

Surely the patients have a say in this bath war?

You did say this was a hospice I believe - how about having family members involved?