Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 12 BED BATH PURPOSE: The home health aide will assess the patient and provide appropriate and specific guidelines to the family in the following areas: * Preference of soaps * Presence of allergies to soaps or bath products * Assembling of equipment. * Climate adjustments; water adjustments * Techniques of bathing * Symptoms of skin breakdown and poor circulation The home health care member will execute range of motion exercises (as ordered) at the time of bath, so that joint mobility and muscle tone will be maintained. The home health care member will assess skin integrity each time a bed bath is given, and will report changes to appropriate personnel. Home health care team members will use gloves when giving a bed bath, since contact may be made with body excrement. RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL: RN, LPN, HHA EOUIPMENT: Bath blanket or sheet; two basins of water (if available); soap; lotion; gloves; towels; wash clothes . SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Bath water should be changed as frequently as needed to keep the temperature comfortable and the water clean. If the patient has dry skin and no allergies to bath products, “no rinse” bath wash may be used. If elastic stockings are used, the use of bath oil or powder is contraindicated since oils and powders reduce elasticity of the stockings. Creams and lotions should not be used with body powders since this combination may result in an irritating paste. Avoid the use of powder until after the skin has been thoroughly dried. Special attention should be paid to creased areas. Excessive powder should be avoided. Allow the patient to help with bath as condition allows and as instructed/assigned. Side rails should remain up for safety whenever the home health caregiver is away from the bedside. PROCEDURE: The following steps shall be demonstrated and explained to caregivers: 1. Wash hands. Don gloves. 2. Explain procedure to patient and drape for privacy. Excuse visitors and non-involved family from the room. 3. If patient has a hospital bed, raise bed to a comfortable working height and offer bedpan or urinal before beginning. 4. Test water temperature to make sure bath water temperature is comfortable by touching the water to a wrist or elbow. 5. Remove patient’s clothing and cover with a light blanket or sheet.