Bathing/Personal Hygiene

Bathing/Personal Hygiene 

Purpose: 

To provide assistance as needed with bathing and personal hygiene. 

Procedure: Provon Three in One Body Wash 

1. Preparation: 

• Use a folded washcloth to prevent the spread of germs. 

• Provon 3-in-1 body wash may be applied directly to warm wet washcloths or poured into a dry basin and brought to the resident’s bedside. 

• Dispense 20-25 presses of the body wash into a dry basin. 

• Apply a dime-sized amount to each corner of a warm, wet, clean washcloth. Use a clean corner for each area as outlined below. 

2. Bathing Sequence: 

• Eyes: Use a separate clean corner of the washcloth for each eye. 

• Face, ears, and neck: Use a clean corner for each area. 

• Right shoulder, arm, and hand: Use a clean corner for each area. 

• Left shoulder, arm, and hand: Use a clean corner for each area. 

• Chest and abdomen: Use a clean corner for each area. 

• Axilla: Wash after the rest of the upper body as this area contains more bacteria. 

• New washcloth: Obtain a new washcloth to wash the lower body. 

• Back: Use a clean corner for the back. 

• Buttocks: Use a clean corner for the buttocks. 

• Right leg, foot, and toes: Use a clean corner for each area. 

• Left leg, foot, and toes: Use a clean corner for each area. 

• Genitals: Using a clean side of the washcloth, wipe front to back. 

3. Observation and Reporting: 

• Observe the resident’s skin for any bruises, tears, reddened areas, and areas of scaling or dryness. 

• Report any findings to the nurse. 

Procedure: Assisting Resident in the Shower 

Preparation: 

• Assist the resident to the shower, using soap and water in the same sequence outlined above. 

• Encourage residents to be as independent as possible. 

• Transport residents to the shower in a shower chair or shower stretcher. 

• Ensure residents are completely covered while being transported in public areas. 

Observation and Reporting: 

• Observe the resident’s skin for any bruises, tears, reddened areas, and areas of scaling or dryness. 

• Report any findings to the nurse. 

Compliance and Documentation: 

• Adhere to CMS guidelines and Requirements of Participation for Long-Term Care Facilities. 

• Document the bathing procedure, including the resident’s response, in their medical record. 

• Note any observations related to skin condition, and report any concerns to the nurse. 

• Regularly review and update bathing techniques according to the latest clinical best practices and regulatory standards. 

• Provide training to staff on proper bathing procedures to ensure resident safety and comfort. 

• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with this policy and address any gaps in practice or documentation. 

References: 

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). State Operations Manual (SOM), Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long-Term Care Facilities. 

• CMS Requirements of Participation for Nursing Homes.