What About Post-Op Bathing?

Nurses Relations

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A few years ago my 40+ brother had an open cholecystectomy. He then spent five nights in the hospital. After his fourth night, when I visited, I couldn't help but notice his body odor. In response to my question, said he said he had been asking if he could take a shower, but the answer was no, not yet. Finally, on his last day, his drain and staples were removed and he was told he could now take a shower. He didn't bother because he was being discharged in a couple of hours, anyhow. Now I'm wondering why he was not given a bed bath or two during his stay, given the fact that he was not allowed to shower. Why not? Are baths no longer given to ambulatory post-op patients?

Specializes in ICU.

He would have been given a bath if I had been his nurse! And a complete linen change. I have worked with surgeons who insisted their post-op patients take a shower, and say it is actually not a problem to let warm, soapy water run down their incision, but that depends on the surgeon and the particular type of surgery. However, there is no excuse for not giving a patient a bed bath; it doesn't take that long. Patients need oral care, too.

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.
He would have been given a bath if I had been his nurse! And a complete linen change. I have worked with surgeons who insisted their post-op patients take a shower, and say it is actually not a problem to let warm, soapy water run down their incision, but that depends on the surgeon and the particular type of surgery. However, there is no excuse for not giving a patient a bed bath; it doesn't take that long. Patients need oral care, too.

Exactly, most incision are covered by some sort of dressing, or if not by day 2 the skin should be closed if there has been no complications.

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He would have been given a bath if I had been his nurse! And a complete linen change. I have worked with surgeons who insisted their post-op patients take a shower, and say it is actually not a problem to let warm, soapy water run down their incision, but that depends on the surgeon and the particular type of surgery. However, there is no excuse for not giving a patient a bed bath; it doesn't take that long. Patients need oral care, too.

This is what I was taught to do 20 years ago. My experience is that most patients, if they are not extremely sick, appreciate being bathed/assisted with their hygiene if they are not well enough to perform their own hygiene. Often they are too weak from illness/post op to do it for themselves.

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Specializes in SICU.

If he could recline on a chair, then the basin/warm water and wipes could suffice. He could get his "area's" and get help with his back. (this is what we used to do when i worked medsurg) also, I know all patients are different...but it was a chole.... I have cared for whipple patients who on POD2 are up in the chair requesting water and and a toothbrush. maybe more initiative from him was needed?

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Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.

In my final placement I was working on an acute surgical ward. A post op wash was completed with all patients as soon as they were able, they would be given the opportunity to a spot wash, new nighties or pyjamas and removal of all the theatre linens.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

When I worked on a surgical unit, our standard was a bath of some sort (depending on patient condition) on the first postop day. When my partner had surgery at a different hospital, there was no mention of a bath. On the third postop day, I finally requested one (it doesn't always occur to the patient, so I don't think it's realistic to expect them to ask). They brought me the supplies and I helped him wash up while the CNA did the first linen change of his stay. (My original plan was to not let them know I was a nurse, and just let them do their job. That turned out to be a bad idea for many reasons.)

The next day was discharge day, and the CNA started to do a complete linen change. I told him not to bother, since we were leaving and the bed would have to be changed again. He proudly informed me that their policy was to change the linens daily. I had to break it to the poor guy that their practice isn't always consistent with their policy. :no:

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I can see why he didn't get a real shower, but he should have gotten at least a sponge bath. We wait for the physician to say weather or not a patient can shower, but if needed we do a sponge bath on the more important areas.

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My brother had never been hospitalized before. When he asked if he could take a shower and was told he could not, he had no idea that there was an alternative. Given his lack of experience, he could not be the "squeaky wheel" to push for a bed bath, as some poster suggested. He was in no condition to"stand at a sink" as another poster suggested. If someone in his situation, bed-confined for a few days, hypotensive, and asking about a shower, is not a bed bath candidate for at least one day. then who would be?

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Specializes in vascular, med surg, home health , rehab,.

Why on earth would this be bothering you now? Your brother didn't get a bed bath a few years ago after a chole. I assume he recovered well and didn't suffer any ill effects from BO? If not able to shower or stand he could have had a simple wash in his chair or bed with minimal assistance. I'm sure if he wanted to do that he was quite capable of letting the staff know and I am sure would have been accommodated. I frequently have male 40 something year old patients who decline any offers to help bathe, and then have spouses/mothers/sisters freaking out because of it. Forget all the good care he was getting, he didn't get the fabled "bed bath"....stop the press.

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