Tips on making that ICU bed look perfect after a bath

[bluesky]

Hey folks.

I completely admire those gifted nurses who are able to make their patients look and smell like a commercial for the 4 seasons after the bed bath. I am so bad at it... any advice?

Thanks

[oneillk1]

Calvin&Hobbes,

Mind if I print out a thousand copies of your post? I'd like to wallpaper our break room with it! I add a sprinkling of baby powder to their backs and sheets if it isn't contraindicated and always make sure that the closed ends of the pillowcases are facing the door. Changing ET and NG tube tapes also makes a big difference. As for washing hair: I have used wet, warm, soapy washcloths with many a collared bloody head trauma. Wrap the hair with a warm soapy washcloths ahead of time to soften up the dried blood. If it is really bad, tuck a thick garbage bag under the head and shoulders, put the bed flat and use warm soapy water poured from a clean urinal. You'll be standing at the head of the bed (think intubation position!) If you put a bottle of mouth wash in the final rinse, it gets rid of the old blood smell. Cover the central line with a thick towel, but expect to change it after anyways.

Thank you so much for this, our unit protocol says hair wash MINIMUM of weekly, but whenever I ask my colleagues how to do it, the standard answer is 'oh don't worry about that". It just seems like not something that is worth bothering the educator about, but so far I haven't got my head around the logistics of vent, lines, water, bed....

[niki_m787]

wow.....my first post!!

.....hairwashing can be done on virtually any icu patient in less than 3 minutes without even getting the bed wet....there is no (no!) excuse for not doing it at least every other day....

Please enlighten us!

[kriso63]

I am so glad to hear that people are still using soap and water out there. Seems like everytime I suggest it I get the "are you crazy or what" look. Followed by the "bath in a bag works just fine". I really dislike those things. Nothing beats a good old fashioned soap and water bath.

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

Amen Kris, nothing beats soap and water for actually getting people clean.

[One Flew Over]

I have had patients cry with thankfulness when I wash their hair/give them the salon tx.........(sometimes, there is not much else that I can do for them.....ie ......mult pressors....trauma etc.....that makes them more comfortable...)

Even in LTC this can be very true, it makes them feel better inside and out :)

[sicushells, RN]

This thread inspired me to give my patient the full-on head to toe scrub (it didn't hurt that she was a one-to-one either) including hair washing, nail soaking etc.

Unfortunately, I feel like she was just irritated that I was messing with her for so long. Anyone ever feel like that? She was intubated and sedated so I couldn't just ask her if she wanted me too. plus, it took me from start to finish... like an hour and a half, lol. Even after she was all clean and dry and warm, it took a few hours before she looked comfortable again.

[RN1982]

It bothers me most when people say they bathed the patient on their shift yet continue to use the same nasty, soiled abdominal binder a patient when it is clear that the patient needs a new one. I bathed my patient the other night, soap and water, although we are technically not suppose to but the patient needed it, changed the binder and the sheets. Patient felt better after I was done.

[athena55, BSN, RN]

I came upon this thread late, but I do agree I long for the days when one wasn't worried about MRSA or if the "bath basin" was harboring bugs...

Once in a while I will give an old fashioned soapy, wet, warm bed bath...my particular MEDCEN uses those disposable pre-moistened towels or wash-cloths. Just don't do the job like the old fashioned wash cloths of my youth :) and oftentimes it is not cost effective to use the plastic wash basin once and throw it away.

But I find, working nights, that it is the rule that once you have administered your bed bath, made your critically ill patient look so much better, and your patient is positioned JUST SO....Along comes X-Ray! Sigh, and there goes your perfectly positioned patient!

athena

[NeosynephRN]

I still use the good ol soap and water...I just wipe my basin down before and after with the sani wipes! I love washing my patients hair and braiding it up, feels good and keeps them tidy for long vent days!

[Lovetodecorate]

When I get a surgical patient , I use alcohol wipes to gently remove the betadine stains and then give the bed bath. It is alot easier than scrubbing their skin forever with soap and water to remove it. It's also easier on their skin. During a bed bath, I try to keep the parts I'm not washing covered and turn on the heating lights above the bed. This keeps them warm and comfortable.

[cindy13065]

I am a new grad and will be starting in the ICU on May 18th. Thanks to everyone for all of these suggestions/directions. I think I learned something from every single post and I intend to use them all. This is a great thread.

[skimomma]

I like that you cover up parts not being washed...does anyone ever offer backrubs to stable patients?