Using gloves while bathing someone...

[Poi Dog]

Does your facility provide you with gloves that extend past your wrist?

My issue with that type of glove is that when I go to wash the persons bottom, some "stuff" has a tendency to drip down onto my arm. :grn::barf01: How do you prevent that from happening? I can't stomach when that happens. I asked my facility if they could purchase longer gloves and was told no.

Do you fellow CNAs have tips to prevent the lovely drippage down the arm while showering a resident?

Thanks

[CoffeemateCNA]

Oh. Seriously. I was eating dinner when I read this.

I have never had that problem when doing showers. I would suggest you drape a towel over your forearm so that any "drips" will fall onto it instead of you.

OR

You could use a trashbag, punch a small hole in the bottom, and then slide it up your arm.

OR

Just use put your forearm and hand IN the trashbag and use it to hold the rag.

Who knew there were so many solutions for "drippage" problems?

[Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN]

I don't usually have that problem either. I just usually get water in mine.

Maybe you could put rubber bands on your wrists over your gloves.

Dondie

ETA: I misunderstood! I thought you were getting stuff INSIDE your gloves!

Yeah, I would drape a towel or wash rag over your arm. If you have a sprayer, you might trying rinsing them off as much as possible before actually cleaning.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

I don't see how that happens unless you're sticking your arm under the person's bottom???

[justme01]

Well don't you have to stick your arm underneath to clean the undercarriage?

[Poi Dog]

Well don't you have to stick your arm underneath to clean the undercarriage?

Yes, I don't see any other way to clean the resident's bottom.

[CoffeemateCNA]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the other posters are wondering why your forearm is under the resident's orifice -- that washing them should just require you to stick your hand underneath enough so that only your hand is under it, not your whole arm. Maybe???

*sigh* If only we could draw pictures on this board

[brittany_micah]

If I couldnt roll a patient on their side and there was a chance that I had to put my arm or forearm under someone I would prob put a gown on over top then my gloves.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

Yeah... I was trying to figure out a way to explain it without drawing! You don't need to stick your whole arm under there- just you hand. Or better yet if you have someone who can bear weight just have them pull up on the grab bar for a second and wash them while they stand. Then you get their whole bottom and not just whatever's not planted on the chair.

[Intern67]

How do you prevent that from happening?

You need to use equipment available as appropriate.

If you are cleaning a very soiled resident in the shower, I suggest the use of towels for starting with the bigger messes. You seem to have a problem with forearm soilage (not sure of your technique), but a towel will cover your forearms. After that you can switch to washcloths for the final cleanup.

You could use a gown, but you don't want to be cleaning a resident in a stool soiled gown.

Showers stimulate bowel movements in residents with more severe deficits. You should be able to handle it.