Bed bathing is an intrusive procedure which could potentially cause persons to feel vulnerable, exposed, embarrassed and undignified. In providing a bed bath, the nurse is essentially intruding upon a process which is private, intimate and sensitive. Consequently, it is a delicate undertaking which requires respect, compassion and care, as well as the stringent maintenance of privacy and dignity. (Delves-Yates, 2015) states that the word dignity is derived from the Latin, dignus and dignitas, which may be translated as ‘worth’ and ‘merit’, respectively. As such, the preservation of dignity during the intimate procedure of bed bathing may be seen as actively valuing the patient’s worth and personhood. In the person centred delivery of
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Therefore, bed baths should only be provided by nurses who have knowledge of the procedure (which (Dougherty, et al., 2015) outline in a series of thirty one steps) as well as the training, competence and interpersonal skills to execute the task effectively and compassionately. When carried out with care, helping patients to maintain personal hygiene and grooming can actually be a positive process; promoting well-being, relaxation, self-esteem and safety (in terms of the prevention of cross contamination and spread of infection) whilst contributing to the cultivation of positive therapeutic relationships. (Peate & Lane, 2015) Additionally, (Trenoweth, et al., 2011) acknowledge the benefit of therapeutic touch in conveying sympathy and care. Bed bathing provides opportunities for nurses to gather important details which might otherwise prove difficult to obtain, such as complete assessment of the skin, mouth and nails as well as information pertaining to the patient’s current psychological state. The information gleaned from performing a bed bath should be accurately recorded and used to determine whether additional clinical interventions or referrals to other services are required. (Dougherty, et al., 2015) Hence, compassionate and skilled bed bathing provides opportunities to potentially improve the current health and wellbeing of patients as well as facilitating the development of strong interpersonal relationships, which are fundamental to the
Therefore, bed baths should only be provided by nurses who have knowledge of the procedure (which (Dougherty, et al., 2015) outline in a series of thirty one steps) as well as the training, competence and interpersonal skills to execute the task effectively and compassionately. When carried out with care, helping patients to maintain personal hygiene and grooming can actually be a positive process; promoting well-being, relaxation, self-esteem and safety (in terms of the prevention of cross contamination and spread of infection) whilst contributing to the cultivation of positive therapeutic relationships. (Peate & Lane, 2015) Additionally, (Trenoweth, et al., 2011) acknowledge the benefit of therapeutic touch in conveying sympathy and care. Bed bathing provides opportunities for nurses to gather important details which might otherwise prove difficult to obtain, such as complete assessment of the skin, mouth and nails as well as information pertaining to the patient’s current psychological state. The information gleaned from performing a bed bath should be accurately recorded and used to determine whether additional clinical interventions or referrals to other services are required. (Dougherty, et al., 2015) Hence, compassionate and skilled bed bathing provides opportunities to potentially improve the current health and wellbeing of patients as well as facilitating the development of strong interpersonal relationships, which are fundamental to the