Hygienic Care
Hygienic Care is a set of rules and methods aimed at strict observance of personal hygiene and prevention of infection
Hygiene for hospitalised patients
- is based on personal hygiene methods which an individual practice at home
- is influenced by the patient's state of health and his/her self-sufficiency
The need for hygiene
- somatic/biological – to support cleanliness, elimination of microbial load, removal of secretions and excretions from the body, prevention of infection, and the protective function of the skin
- psychological – to provide a refreshed and relaxed feeling
- social – to create a pleasant environment, promotes positive social contacts
- economic – to prevent complications caused by inadequate hygienic care, which increase healthcare costs and care requirements
Basic hygienic care
- daily treatment – washing hands according to the basic rules of hygiene; hygienic care when the patient is sweaty or soiled with secretions or excretions; exchange of personal and bed linen if needed; making an unoccupied bed
- morning/evening toilet – personal hygiene; skin care; hair care (combing hair); shaving, oral cavity care; exchange of personal and bed linen
- complete bath provided in the bathroom (using the trolley) or in bed. This includes whole body hygiene – ¬ hair care (washing); shaving; skin care; oral cavity care (exchange of personal and bed linen)
Organization of hygienic care (in patients with different levels of self-sufficiency, the care is provided as follows)
- Fully self-sufficient (independent) patients (with movement modes A or B)
- patients perform their own hygienic care. A nurse monitors the patient's performance, offering assistance, making the bed and exchanging bed linen if necessary
- Partially self-sufficient patients (with movement mode C)
- nurse prepares equipment, secures patient's safety (a stable sitting position), performs hygiene assistance, makes bed and exchanges bed linen
- Dependent patients, bed-bound patients (with movement mode D)
- nurse prepares equipment, performs hygienic care for bed-bound patients, makes bed and exchanges personal and bed linen
Bedside hygienic care for dependent patients
- properly organize hygienic care in patients with different levels of self-sufficiency
- carefully prepare all the necessary equipment (preferably the patient's own equipment, but if the patient doesn't have it, use disposable equipment)
- explain the purpose and procedure to the patient
- release the bed base
- ensure the patient's safety (use side rails, moving from side to side, sitting position)
- behave with dignity, assure the patient of privacy
- encourage self-sufficiency according to the patient's ability
- communicate appropriately, using expressions of empathy
- be careful and considerate, following the concept of basal stimulation
- provide warmth and comfort (dry and cover washed parts of the body, close the door, air the room only when finished with hygienic care, etc.)
- follow the right methods for hygienic care
*Note: Colours of infectious waste bags: yellow – infectious waste, red – waste to be burned, black – pathological-anatomical waste, blue – other waste, green – decontamination waste, transparent – communal waste
Reference: Methodological instruction SZU http://www.szu.cz/uploads/documents/chzp/puda/priloha4Z.pdf
*Note: Colours of infectious waste bags: yellow – infectious waste, red – waste to be burned, black – pathological-anatomical waste, blue – other waste, green – decontamination waste, transparent – communal waste
Reference: Methodological instruction SZU http://www.szu.cz/uploads/documents/chzp/puda/priloha4Z.pdf
Hygienic care equipment
Preparation of hygienic care equipment
Oral Cavity Care
Shaving a patient
Literature
- Krišková, A. a kol. Ošetrovateľské techniky – metodika sesterských činností. Martin, Slovakia: Osveta, 2006. pp. 140-177. ISBN 80-8063-202-2
- Pokorná, A. a Komínková, A. Ošetřovatelské postupy založené na důkazech. Brno, Czechia: Masaryk University, 2013. pp. 19-31. ISBN 978-80-210-6331-0