When did we stop washing hair?

Published

I remember about 6 years ago, it was an abnormally slow day in the ER where I worked. This gentleman was brought in by EMS, more for a social situation, although he did have some medical issues as well. I remember him being so disheveled, unkempt, his beard was nearing ZZ Top proportions, and not because he wanted it that way. He just seemed so 'sad'. He kept apologizing for his appearance, "I am usually so clean shaven but I haven't been well lately." I let him talk as I listened because it seemed to help him relax. When I was done his EKG, and drawing his blood I asked him if he'd like me to help him wash up at the sink and I would give him a shave. He said no at first, "You're too busy, I couldn't ask you"....but he hadn't asked and I was not busy at all. So that's what we did, and I remember his smile and actual tears in his eyes. "Thank you so much, you don't know how much better I feel just being cleaned up a bit."

I was reminded of this today as my Grandmother cried on the phone when I called her in a hospital three and a half hours away, where she has been for a month recovering from bypass surgery. Three weeks. Her hair has not been washed in three weeks. The last time it was washed was three weeks ago when I travelled to see her and I washed it for her. Everyday the nurses go in and get her up to a chair, wash her, change her bed and put her back. And in three weeks no one has had the time to wash her hair. "I know I'd feel so much better if I could just manage to wash my own hair, I feel aweful" is what she told me today.:crying2:

I've been a nurse for almost 10 years. I know, and I can appreciate the compromises nurses have been forced to make because of cutbacks, lay offs, shortages and overcrowding. And patient care has suffered directly because of it. But I also know that surely to heaven, there must have been 15 minutes in the last three weeks that someone, ANYONE could have spared to wash my grandmother's hair.

I'll be leaving right after work tomorrow to drive 180 miles each way so I can wash my Gram's hair and see her spirits lifted just a bit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I work in the ED too and yes, I wash hair, clothes, whatever needs to be done!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i know exactly what you mean.

i've had patients that were bed bound.

after putting baby powder in their hair, i finally obtained (out of my pocket) a dry shampoo that the astronauts use....worked very well.

when i kept on asking about getting this patients hair washed, everyone kept on passing the buck.

there really is no excuse. SOMEONE can do it.

:o

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health.

IN our CT unit, we had our own drawer, the night shift gals, where we kept scented bodywashes, the PSSSST shampoo, regular shampoo, and nicer razors than the hospital, oh yeah, shaving cream and after shaves. The patients loved it, and we loved it because who wants stinky patients.

I can tell you, after my C-section, I was on pit for 24 hours more. Talk about pain. I couldn't even change my own peripads I was so doubled up. The nurses changed them and the linen savers, but it was the sweet night-shift nurse who didn't ask, she just gave me a bath, I felt so human afterward, that when they cut the pit. I felt so much better an hour later, I insisted on getting up to go to the BR, and have my foley d/c. I was a little dizzy, but felt so good, esp when it is the first baby and everyone comes to visit and you look like heck!

Sometimes a shampoo can be so therapuetic.

I wish the nurse in the ER had time to take care of my sister's hair, but of course in that case I understood, but she had a concussion in a car accident, she was maybe 16, very long blonde hair, and they had to cut a huge chunk out of the back of her head to get to the wound and suture her scalp laceration. When she got home, her hair was a bloody matted mess. I will never forget how it took us 3 hours to carefully clean up her head and hair, being so careful to keep the incision clean. I still think it was my biggesy hair challenge so far, and trust me I have had many in this career, and as a mom to aspiring "barbers" about a decade ago!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ER.

I have to admit that as a baby nurse on SICU, I haven't developed the time management skills to do shampooing yet... I am also concerned about my IJ's, trachs, etc near the hairline... that said many of our pts do stay for weeks and don't get a real good hairwashing. :uhoh21:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work m/s and there are dry shampoos that work beautifully. As soon as the pt. is able, we get em in the shower!

Many a pt., even in this lovely rural community, comes in neglected. It is a top priority when they come in to clean them up.

Hoolie: I like the idea of a stash. I had not thought of that (duh) for my LTC pt. when I do that occasionally. I was so happy to give a LTC resident a back rub the other night. It was her first and so therapeutic. Wish I had MORE time for those.

I admit, our rural hospital is a little "ivory tower", which is why I love it so.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

We have a no rinse shampoo that we use for our more bedbound patients. I havent heard one complain yet about it so i guess it works well enough.

I'd like to know when they stopped giving oral care? Thats another area that is so neglected in both LTC and hospitals. And forget about PM care, remember when they at least offered a short backrub? Now all you hear are the evening nurses complaining if they have to bath someone. God forbid the patient might sleep better. Sorry,, i'm soundin grumpy tonight,, been a long day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where I work as a care partner we do not wash hair daily. But, if someone needs it or is with us for several days we will use the "no rinse" soap and rinse it out. Works great as shampoo.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

We used to have these things that look like shower caps. You microwave them and put them on the patient's head and massage. I'm not convinced that it actually shampoos the hair but I'm sure it feels good to the patient. They're gone now. Don't know what we're supposed to do with hair now. I had a patient this week with very long hair that got matted. It took a while to comb through it. I asked her bf to bring something to tie it back. Never happened. I'll have to bring something from home.

Mouth care is another area. Once it gets out of hand, it seems impossible to get a handle on it. Those swabs don't do the job. Vaseline on the lips doesn't seem to really penetrate to soften and moisturize. Isn't there anything better? Those poor people with those nasty mouths have to be suffering something awful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health.

Blistex works better on dry lips Kitty Kat, but they don't stock that in the hospitals either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When my Mom was in the hospital, she actually had a nurse stay late and color her hair. Now that was awesome! Unfortunately, where I work, some days just the fact that nobody dies or gets worse is an accomplishment, let alone gets their head washed. I've had to learn to prioritize...bedpan or pt crashing? I'd love to be able to do "total patient care" and meet every little need, but that's just not realistic in a lot of hospitals today. It's sad, this whole "more with less" trend.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree, most of the facilities (hospitals) that I have worked at, do not have the time to "do it all". You walk out so exhausted and think about what did I not get to (and unfortuantely that sticks with most of us).

Health Care is in crisis mode; the pendulum will swing the other way, but it will take some time to get it right.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment