Washing patient's hair!!!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2011

second the motion for the plastic trash bag-to-the-bucket trick, with yankauer assist prn. i used to use a wastebasket lined with another plastic bag-- easier to lift the wastebasket up to the sink, rather than a bag of water:eek:, to pour out the rinse water. small towel roll under the neck and another on each side, just enough to keep the water headed in the right direction. advantage: no special equipment.

pc2801 · Dec 12, 2011

I agree with the trash bag and trash bucket method. I had to have surgery in August. I was unable to shower for 7 weeks and unable to stand long enough to wash my hair in the sink for most of that time. I was able to get in and out of bed at home, so I positioned myself with my head at the foot of the bed and my mom (retired RN who was caring for me) tucked a few towels around my neck and shoulders. We never once had a spill on the bed and I have waist length hair. She used 2-3L of hot water in a plastic pitcher to wet and rinse the shampoo out of my hair. I imagine that you can do the same in a hospital bed if you can get the patient as close as possible to the head of the bed.

allnurses Guide · Dec 12, 2011

Whatever happened to the shampoo boards?

we had to demo those in lab as part of patient care

Its a long plastic board with a pour spout that went over the side of the bed and emptied into a bucket, with raised edges all around. Had a scoop to lay the neck across, then tilt the head back. Can pour lots of water, get really clean. I go borrow it from one of the units when we have a head lac with a scalp full of dried blood in the ER. Gets it clean enough to find all the wounds under the dried blood. With a chux and some towels, things stay dry.

Cuddleswithpuddles · Dec 12, 2011

Whatever happened to the shampoo boards?
we had to demo those in lab as part of patient care
Its a long plastic board with a pour spout that went over the side of the bed and emptied into a bucket, with raised edges all around. Had a scoop to lay the neck across, then tilt the head back. Can pour lots of water, get really clean. I go borrow it from one of the units when we have a head lac with a scalp full of dried blood in the ER. Gets it clean enough to find all the wounds under the dried blood. With a chux and some towels, things stay dry.

Wow, these things sound swell.

I've never seen a shampoo board.

Then again I have never seen a full lather shampoo and rinse in acute care either. All I have seen are shampoo caps or talcum powder as a low rent dry shampoo.

My scalp just itched. Sad.

TriciaJ, RN · Dec 12, 2011

One time I had a pt on complete bed rest who was really bummed out by her greasy hair. (I wash mine daily so I can relate.) I had her lie diagonally on her bed so her head hung off the edge. I put one of those plastic basins on a chair pulled up to her bed and I was able to wash her hair quickly without getting her linens wet.

I managed to do this before I even did my a.m. assessments because I knew if I didn't get it done first thing I would never get back to it. It was done in a jiffy and I had a happy patient the rest of the day.

Amanda.RN · Dec 12, 2011

We used the caps that you could warm up in the microwave. They worked and helped people feel a bit cleaner. It's not as good as the real deal, but it gets the job done.

ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2011

I use the Bair Hugger to dry the hair

Altra, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2011

I use the Bair Hugger to dry the hair

Now that is a very cool idea.