Reducing Hospitalizations and Multidrug-Resistant Organisms via Regional Decolonization in Hospitals and Nursing Homes.

Importance: Infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, length of hospitalization, and health care costs. Regional interventions may be advantageous in mitigating MDROs and associated infections. Objective: To evaluate whether implementation of a decolonization collaborative is associated with reduced regional MDRO prevalence, incident clinical cultures, infection-related hospitalizations, costs, and deaths. Design, Setting, and Participants: This quality improvement study was conducted from July 1, 2017, to July 31, 2019, across 35 health care facilities in Orange County, California. Exposures: Chlorhexidine bathing and nasal iodophor antisepsis for residents in long-term care and hospitalized patients in contact precautions (CP). Main Outcomes and Measures: Baseline and end of intervention MDRO point prevalence among participating facilities; incident MDRO (nonscreening) clinical cultures among participating and nonparticipating facilities; and infection-related hospitalizations and associated costs and deaths among residents in participating and nonparticipating nursing homes (NHs). Results: Thirty-five facilities (16 hospitals, 16 NHs, 3 long-term acute care hospitals [LTACHs]) adopted the intervention. Comparing decolonization with baseline periods among participating facilities, the mean (SD) MDRO prevalence decreased from 63.9% (12.2%) to 49.9% (11.3%) among NHs, from 80.0% (7.2%) to 53.3% (13.3%) among LTACHs (odds ratio [OR] for NHs and LTACHs, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.40-0.57), and from 64.1% (8.5%) to 55.4% (13.8%) (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.93) among hospitalized patients in CP. When comparing decolonization with baseline among NHs, the mean (SD) monthly incident MDRO clinical cultures changed from 2.7 (1.9) to 1.7 (1.1) among participating NHs, from 1.7 (1.4) to 1.5 (1.1) among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 30.4%; 95% CI, 16.4%-42.1%), from 25.5 (18.6) to 25.0 (15.9) among participating hospitals, from 12.5 (10.1) to 14.3 (10.2) among nonparticipating hospitals (group × period interaction reduction, 12.9%; 95% CI, 3.3%-21.5%), and from 14.8 (8.6) to 8.2 (6.1) among LTACHs (all facilities participating; 22.5% reduction; 95% CI, 4.4%-37.1%). For NHs, the rate of infection-related hospitalizations per 1000 resident-days changed from 2.31 during baseline to 1.94 during intervention among participating NHs, and from 1.90 to 2.03 among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 26.7%; 95% CI, 19.0%-34.5%). Associated hospitalization costs per 1000 resident-days changed from $64 651 to $55 149 among participating NHs and from $55 151 to $59 327 among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 26.8%; 95% CI, 26.7%-26.9%). Associated hospitalization deaths per 1000 resident-days changed from 0.29 to 0.25 among participating NHs and from 0.23 to 0.24 among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 23.7%; 95% CI, 4.5%-43.0%). Conclusions and Relevance: A regional collaborative involving universal decolonization in long-term care facilities and targeted decolonization among hospital patients in CP was associated with lower MDRO carriage, infections, hospitalizations, costs, and deaths.

Health care staff perceptions of gaps and education needs for patient-led preoperative hygiene using chlorhexidine gluconate skin cleansing products.

Through survey-led interviews, health care staff recognizes that patients have different bathing techniques and need more education on chlorhexidine gluconate cleansing. Preliminary findings gathered will be used to develop and test electronic competency-based tools to ensure patients are provided with the same comprehensive instructions before using chlorhexidine gluconate bathing products.

Desenvolvimento de tecnologia educacional para familiares sobre o banho de ofurô no domicílio para recém-nascidos / Development of educational technology for family members about the hot tub at home for newborns / Desarrollo de tecnología educativa para familiares sobre el baño de ofuro en casa para recién nacidos

Objetivo: Desenvolver uma tecnologia educacional para familiares sobre o banho de ofurô no domicílio em RN. Método: Estudo metodológico de desenvolvimento tecnológico, realizado em três etapas: revisão da literatura, produção tecnológica, validação de conteúdo a partir da manifestação de juízes-especialistas. Coleta de dados por meio de instrumento com escala de Likert. Análise dos dados por aplicação do Índice Kappa e do Índice de Validade de Conteúdo. Resultados: Na etapa de revisão emergiram os temas geradores. Na etapa de produção obteve-se um livro ilustrado digital intitulado "Banho de Ofurô em Casa: Guia de Orientação aos Pais e Familiares de Recém-Nascidos Prematuros e com Baixo Peso". Na etapa de validação verificou-se que a tecnologia é válida e adequada, apresentando informações coerentes com a literatura, organizadas de forma objetiva e clara, contendo descrição detalhada da técnica, com ilustrações expressivas e sincrônicas com o texto. Conclusão: A tecnologia desenvolvida revelou-se válida para a preparação dos familiares para a alta e, com potencial para a difusão do conhecimento quanto ao cuidado neonatal. (AU)

Objective: To develop an educational technology for family members about the hot tub bathing at home for premature and/ or low weight newborns. Methods: Methodological study of technological development, carried out in three stages: literature review, technological production, content validation based on the opinion of 17 expert judges. Data collection using a Likert scale instrument. In the data analysis, the Kappa Index and Content Validity Index were applied. Results: In the review stage, the generating themes emerged. In the production stage, a digital illustrated book was obtained entitled "Bath of Ofuro at Home: Orientation Guide for Parents and Family of Premature and Low Weight Newborns". In the validation stage, it was found that the technology is valid and adequate, presenting information consistent with the literature, organized in an objective and clear manner, containing a detailed description of the technique, with expressive and synchronous illustrations with the text. Conclusion: The technology developed proved to be valid for the preparation of family members for discharge and, with the potential for the dissemination of knowledge regarding neonatal care. (AU)

Objetivo: Desarrollar una tecnología educativa para familiares sobre el baño de ofuro en casa para recién nacidos prematuros y/o de bajo peso. Métodos: Estudio metodológico del desarrollo tecnológico, realizado en tres etapas: revisión de literatura, producción tecnológica, validación de contenido en base a la opinión de 17 jueces expertos. Recolección de datos utilizando un instrumento de escala Likert. En el análisis de datos se aplicó el Índice Kappa y el Índice de Validez de Contenido. Resultados: En la etapa de revisión surgieron los temas generadores. En la etapa de producción se obtuvo un libro ilustrado digital titulado "Baño de ofuro en casa: Guía de Orientación para Padres y Familia de Recién Nacidos Prematuros y de Bajo Peso". En la etapa de validación, se encontró que la tecnología es válida y adecuada, presentando información consistente con la literatura, organizada de manera objetiva y clara, conteniendo una descripción detallada de la técnica, con ilustraciones expresivas y sincrónicas con el texto. Conclusión: La tecnología desarrollada demostró ser válida para la preparación de los familiares para el alta y, con potencial para la difusión de conocimientos sobre la atención neonatal. (AU)

Dispositivo pre-humedecido de remoción y exfoliación corporal para aseo de pacientes / Pre-moistened body removal and exfoliation device for patient cleaning

INTRODUCCIÓN: La asistencia para el aseo personal, incluido el baño, es una actividad clave de enfermería que se considera relacionada con la calidad de vida y la calidad de la atención. Sin embargo, se argumenta que el baño de cama (o en cama de hospitalización) con agua, jabón, toallas y jarrones tiene algunos resultados adversos. A. Cuadro clínico: Se ha reportado que, con respecto a la percepción de los pacientes, éstos se pueden sentir incómodos durante el baño de cama tradicional desencadenando comportamiento de agitación o agresividad. B. Tecnología sanitária: El dispositivo pre-humedecido de remoción y exfoliación corporal es un guante de relieve no tejido, suave y embebido (ambos lados) de una loción limpiadora hipoalergénica que no necesita enjuague y que no contiene jabón ni alcohol. Se encuentra revestida interiormente con una película interior plástica a prueba de agua para proteger las manos del usuario. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad, así como documentos relacionados a la decisión de cobertura del dispositivo pre-humedecido de remoción y exfoliación corporal para aseo de pacientes. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una búsqueda en las principales bases de datos bibliográficas: MEDLINE, LILACS, COCHRANE, así como en buscadores genéricos de Internet incluyendo Google Scholar y TRIPDATABASE. Adicionalmente, se hizo una búsqueda dentro de la información generada por las principales instituciones internacionales de enfermería y agencias de tecnologías sanitarias que realizan revisiones sistemáticas (RS), evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias (ETS) y guías de práctica clínica (GPC). RESULTADOS: Se seleccionó una RS de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados publicada en el año 2017. La búsqueda de la RS se realizó desde el año 1994 hasta febrero del 2016. Todos los estudios recabados fueron ensayos clínicos aleatorizados cruzados. Se incluyeron seis estudios que, si bien no todos incluyen específicamente a nuestra tecnología de interés, evidencian que los dispositivos descartables sin necesidad de agua y jabón no presentan diferencias relacionados con lesiones cutáneas significativas, resistencia o incomodidad durante el baño y costos comparados con el aseo tradicional. Al actualizar la búsqueda no se encontraron otros estudios que compararan el dispositivo pre-humedecido de remoción y exfoliación corporal versus el aseo tradicional. CONCLUSIONES: La evidencia comparativa con respecto al dispositivo pre-humedecido de remoción y exfoliación corporal es escasa y de buena calidad. Basados en ensayos aleatorizados cruzados (cross-over trials) se evidencia que no hay diferencia entre la prevalencia de lesiones de la piel comparado con el aseo tradicional. Además, un estudio evidencia que la frecuencia de aseos completos es mayor con el dispositivo pre-humedecido de remoción y exfoliación corporal. Con respecto a la preferencia de los pacientes y cuidadores de salud, se evidencia que más del 60% prefiere el uso de estos dispositivos comparado con el procedimiento de aseo tradicional. No se encontraron evaluaciones de tecnología sanitarias, guías de práctica clínica o evaluaciones económicas de la región que mencionaran específicamente al dispositivo pre-humedecido de remoción y exfoliación corporal para el aseo de pacientes.

You get back what you give: Decreased hospital infections with improvement in CHG bathing, a mathematical modeling and cost analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have shown that bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) wipes reduces hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). We employed a mathematical model to assess the impact of CHG patient bathing on central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), and hospital-onset Clostridium difficile (C diff) infections and the associated costs. METHODS: Using a Markov chain, we examined the effect of CHG bathing compliance on HAI outcomes and the associated costs. Using estimates from 2 different studies on CHG bathing effectiveness for CLABSI, CAUTI, and C diff, the number of HAIs per year were estimated along with associated costs. The simulations were conducted, assuming CHG bathing at varying compliance rates. RESULTS: At 32% reduction in HAI incidence, increasing CHG bathing compliance from 60% to 90% results in 20 averted infections and $815,301.75 saved cost. CONCLUSIONS: As CHG bathing compliance increases, yearly HAIs decrease, and the overall cost associated with the HAIs also decreases.

Adding emollient bath additives to standard eczema management for children with eczema: the BATHE RCT.

BACKGROUND: Childhood eczema is very common. Treatment often includes emollient bath additives, despite there being little evidence of their effectiveness. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of emollient bath additives in the management of childhood eczema. DESIGN: Pragmatic, randomised, open-label, multicentre superiority trial with two parallel groups. SETTING: Ninety-six general practices in Wales, the west of England and southern England. Invitation by personal letter or opportunistically. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged between 12 months and 12 years fulfilling the UK Diagnostic Criteria for Atopic Eczema. Children with inactive or very mild eczema (a score of ≤ 5 on the Nottingham Eczema Severity Scale) were excluded, as were children who bathed less than once per week or whose parents/carers were not prepared to accept randomisation. INTERVENTIONS: The intervention group were prescribed bath additives by their usual clinical team and were asked to use them regularly for 12 months. The control group were asked to use no bath additives for 12 months. Both groups continued standard eczema management, including regular leave-on emollients and topical corticosteroids (TCSs) when required. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was eczema control measured by Patient Oriented Eczema Measure [POEM, 0 (clear) to 28 (severe)] weekly for 16 weeks. The secondary outcomes were eczema severity over 1 year (4-weekly POEM), number of eczema exacerbations, disease-specific quality of life (QoL) (Dermatitis Family Impact Questionnaire), generic QoL (Child Health Utility-9 Dimensions) and type and quantity of topical steroid/calcineurin inhibitors prescribed. Children were randomised (1 : 1) using online software to either bath additives plus standard eczema care or standard eczema care alone, stratified by recruiting centre, and there was open-label blinding. RESULTS: From December 2014 to May 2016, 482 children were randomised: 51% were female, 84% were white and the mean age was 5 years (n = 264 in the intervention group, n = 218 in the control group). Reported adherence to randomised treatment allocation was > 92% in both groups, with 76.7% of participants completing at least 12 (80%) of the first 16 weekly questionnaires for the primary outcome. Baseline POEM score was 9.5 [standard deviation (SD) 5.7] in the bath additives group and 10.1 (SD 5.8) in the no bath additives group. Average POEM score over the first 16 weeks was 7.5 (SD 6.0) in the bath additives group and 8.4 (SD 6.0) in the no bath additives group, with no statistically significant difference between the groups. After controlling for baseline severity and confounders (ethnicity, TCS use, soap substitute use) and allowing for clustering of participants within centres and responses within participants over time, POEM scores in the no bath additive group were 0.41 points higher than in the bath additive group (95% confidence interval -0.27 to 1.10), which is well below the published minimal clinically important difference of 3 points. There was no difference between groups in secondary outcomes or in adverse effects such as redness, stinging or slipping. LIMITATIONS: Simple randomisation resulted in an imbalance in baseline group size, although baseline characteristics were well balanced between groups. CONCLUSION: This trial found no evidence of clinical benefit of including emollient bath additives in the standard management of childhood eczema. FUTURE WORK: Further research is required on optimal regimens of leave-on emollients and the use of emollients as soap substitutes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN84102309. FUNDING: This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 22, No. 57. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Bathing Habits in Emergency Department Patients with Cellulitis or Abscess Versus Controls.

OBJECTIVE: Cellulitis is a leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits, with more than 200 cases per 100,000 people per year. Although many risk factors have been identified, including edema, skin breakdown, and penetrance of the skin, there are few data available on whether personal hygiene habits (bathing and clean clothes) are associated with increased risk for soft tissue infection. Studies looking at chlorhexidine baths in the intensive care unit to prevent soft tissue infections have shown conflicting and limited efficacy. Our objective was to determine whether poor personal hygiene, as manifested in poor bathing habits, a lack of access to clean clothes, or frequent needle self-injections, are associated with cellulitis or abscesses. METHODS: The research is a cross-sectional cohort study of patients with either cellulitis, soft tissue abscess, or both (cases) versus a control group of patients with abdominal pain without prior surgeries in a large, urban ED in a convenience sampling. We asked about bathing habits, access to clean clothing, and skin breaks from intravenous (IV) drug use as risk factors. The two groups were compared using descriptive statistics, and a regression analysis was performed to determine the characteristics that are predictive of soft tissue infections. The study was powered at 0.8 to detect a 20% difference in adequate bathing habits with 100 per group. RESULTS: In an approximate 1-year study period, 108 cases were identified and compared with 104 abdominal pain controls selected at random from patients presenting to the same ED. In the cellulitis/abscess group the mean age was 47 and 81% were men, and in the control group the mean age was 45 and 39% were men. There were significantly more men in the cellulitis/abscess group (Diff 22%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8-34, P < 0.01). Seventy percent (76 of 108) of cases versus 58% (80 of 104) of controls bathed daily (odds ratio [OR] 1.7, 95% CI 0.98-3.1, not significant). There was a significant difference between the two groups in laundry habits: 66% (71 of 108) of cases versus 42% (44 of 104) of controls did not have access to clean laundry daily (adjusted OR [AOR] 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-5.0, P < 0.01). The most profound and significant difference was noted between cases and controls regarding the use of IV drugs, in which 20 of 108 cases (19%) used IV drugs versus 3 of 104 controls (3%, P < 0.01). Finally, 35 of 108 (32%) of our cases had a history of infections, whereas only 5 of 104 (5%) of the controls had cellulitis or an abscess previously (P < 0.01). On regression analysis significant predictors of soft tissue infection were history of skin infection (AOR 7.0) and not cleaning clothes daily (AOR 2.5). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in bathing habits, but there was a significant difference in laundry habits between the case and control groups. Our study further confirms that IV drug use is a risk factor for cellulitis and no access to clean clothes daily was significantly related to the development of cellulitis. Failing to obtain daily showers was not associated with an increase in infection.

Culture, bathing and hydrotherapy in labor: An exploratory descriptive pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Though bathing (hydrotherapy) is widely used during labor to decrease anxiety and pain and to promote relaxation, the influence of cultural beliefs about bathing by parturients is virtually unknown. This pilot study explored pregnant women's experiences of bathing, bathing in labor, and cultural beliefs about bathing. DESIGN: An exploratory, descriptive design. SETTING: Low risk obstetrical clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy Hispanic, Black, White, American-Indian and Asian women (N = 41) at >37 weeks gestation. METHODS: During a routine prenatal visit women responded to a brief openended questionnaire on the use of bathing. Data was captured using a modified ethnographic method involving observation and note taking with thematic analysis and quantification of percent response rates. FINDINGS: Forty-six percent (N = 41) of women used bathing for purposes other than hygiene but only 4.9% (N = 41) of these women bathed during a previous labor. The women described bathing as relaxing, easing, calming, and efficacious for relief of menstrual cramps and labor contractions. Ten percent of women reported cultural beliefs about bathing. CONCLUSIONS: Women who bathe, report relief of anxiety, menstrual and labor pain and promotion of mental and physical relaxation. The findings do not support the view that bathing is associated with identifiable cultural beliefs; rather, they suggest that bathing is a self-care measure used by women. This practice is likely transmitted from generation to generation by female elders through the oral tradition. Assumptions that race or ethnicity precludes the use of bathing may be faulty. Cautionary instructions should be given to pregnant women who are <37 completed weeks of gestation, to avoid bathing for relief of cramping or contractions and to seek immediate health care evaluation. Study of culturally intact groups may uncover additional themes related to bathing in labor and as a self-care measure for dysmenorrhea.

Ulcer disease prophylaxis in koi carp by bath immersion with chicken egg yolk containing anti-Aeromonas salmonicida IgY.

Ulcer disease, caused by atypical Aeromonas salmonicida, is a serious concern in ornamental koi carp, because it induces skin ulceration, disfiguring ornamental fish and causing economic loses. The present study aimed to establish a novel prophylaxis with chicken egg yolk immunoglobulin, IgY, against ulcer disease and to assess its feasibility in the ornamental fish industry. Addition of egg yolk powder containing anti-A. salmonicida IgY to rearing water provided significant protection against an A. salmonicida bath infection, whereas administration of non-specific IgY did not. Consecutive immersion of fish into rearing water containing specific IgY completely prevented ulcer disease resulting from cohabitation infection, indicating that this prophylaxis could prevent infection from such type of contact. Thus, passive immunization induced by immersing fish into aquarium water containing specific IgY is a prospective prophylaxis against diseases caused by pathogens that invade the skin and gills.

Modifying the risk: once-a-day bathing "at risk" patients in the intensive care unit with chlorhexidine gluconate.

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) decreases hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that can cause colonization and infection. A standard approach is the bathing of all patients with CHG to prevent MRSA transmission. To decrease CHG utilization, this study assessed selective daily administration of CHG bathing to intensive care unit patients who had an MRSA-positive result or a central venous catheter. This risk-based approach was associated with a 72% decrease in hospital-acquired MRSA transmission rate.

Topical treatment of ichthyoses.

Management of ichthyoses is a complex and continuously dynamic process. Primary treatments of ichthyosis are by means of topical moisturizers and topical medications. Patients and families need to have reasonable and realistic expectations when it comes to topical therapy. Topical medications cannot cure the scaling, but can gradually reduce it and thus improve their condition. No one treatment regimen works for everyone, and the best topical therapy for each patient may be the result of months (or years) of painstaking effort on both the physician's and the patient's behalf. As patients get older and their activities and lifestyles change, so should their topical treatment regimen. Bear in mind that the more complex the skin care regimen and costly the topical treatments, the less likely a patient and their family will be compliant.

Making a splash!

The installation of a birthing pool can be a costly and time consuming process. This article provides some practical tips for making the installation run as smoothly as possible, saving work--and money--in the process. This article gives some advice as to what needs to be considered before you go ahead with installing a pool.

Objective assessment of an ionic footbath (IonCleanse): testing its ability to remove potentially toxic elements from the body.

Ionic footbaths are often used in holistic health centres and spas to aid in detoxification; however, claims that these machines eliminate toxins from the body have not been rigorously evaluated. In this proof-of-principle study, we sought to measure the release of potentially toxic elements from ionic footbaths into distilled and tap water with and without feet. Water samples were collected and analyzed following 30-minute ionic footbath sessions without feet using both distilled (n = 1) and tap water (n = 6) and following four ionic footbaths using tap water (once/week for 4 weeks) in six healthy participants. Urine collection samples were analyzed at four points during the study. Hair samples were analyzed for element concentrations at baseline and study conclusion. Contrary to claims made for the machine, there does not appear to be any specific induction of toxic element release through the feet when running the machine according to specifications.

Effectiveness of 2 methods of chlorhexidine bathing.

The purposes of this study were to examine the impact of chlorhexidine on the transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) on an inpatient oncology unit, compare the cost of 2 chlorhexidine bath delivery methods, and evaluate nursing time and satisfaction to administer the baths. MRSA and VRE transmission rates decreased from those during the previous years. Costs associated with bathing increased, but time to administer the bath decreased with the chlorhexidine cloths, and nursing staff reported satisfaction with their use.

Economic value of dispensing home-based preoperative chlorhexidine bathing cloths to prevent surgical site infection.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the economic value of dispensing preoperative home-based chlorhexidine bathing cloth kits to orthopedic patients to prevent surgical site infection (SSI). METHODS: A stochastic decision-analytic computer simulation model was developed from the hospital's perspective depicting the decision of whether to dispense the kits preoperatively to orthopedic patients. We varied patient age, cloth cost, SSI-attributable excess length of stay, cost per bed-day, patient compliance with the regimen, and cloth antimicrobial efficacy to determine which variables were the most significant drivers of the model's outcomes. RESULTS: When all other variables remained at baseline and cloth efficacy was at least 50%, patient compliance only had to be half of baseline (baseline mean, 15.3%; range, 8.23%-20.0%) for chlorhexidine cloths to remain the dominant strategy (ie, less costly and providing better health outcomes). When cloth efficacy fell to 10%, 1.5 times the baseline bathing compliance also afforded dominance of the preoperative bath. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study favor the routine distribution of bathing kits. Even with low patient compliance and cloth efficacy values, distribution of bathing kits is an economically beneficial strategy for the prevention of SSI.

The bathing of older adults with dementia.

Older adults who need assistance with bathing often find the activity to be both physically and emotionally demanding, as do their caregivers. Research has identified several contributing factors, including pain; fatigue and weakness; confusion; anxiety resulting from being naked in front of strangers, being afraid of falling, and being in a noisy or unfamiliar place; and discomfort from cold or drafty bathing areas or harsh water sprays. The authors of this article make the case for the elimination of forced bathing. Research supports this change in philosophy and practice, whereby bathing is not a task to be performed but rather a human interaction. Inexpensive, practical, and evidence-based alternatives are discussed.

Bandages and difficulty with bathing: introducing Seal-Tight.

Patients with compression bandages experience difficulty with bathing due to the possibility that bandages may become wet and affect the wound. Bandage and dressing changes resulting from accidental wetting also cost the NHS considerable time and money. This product focus highlights the social and psychological impact on the patient when they are unable to bathe and offers a solution to the problem. Seal-Tight is a product that has been newly placed on the drug tariff, making it widely available to all patients who wear bandages (or plaster casts). Seal-Tight enables the patient to bathe, in some cases for the first time for months or even years.

Curtailing: handling the complexity of body care in people hospitalized with severe COPD.

Assisted personal body care (APBC) tends to be regarded as an unproblematic nursing activity with little professional challenge. For severely ill patient diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) daily bathing and washing is, however, a significant self-preserving activity that requires substantial efforts on the part of both patients and nurses. The aim of this study was to report on the complex pattern of APBC in hospitalized patients with severe COPD and highlight significant characteristics that should be considered in clinical practice in order to support patients' comfort and well-being. The study used a grounded theory design with a generative and constant comparative approach. The sample consisted of 12 cases of nurse-patient interaction, based on data from participant observation of sessions of APBC, measures of patient's perceived degree of breathlessness and individual interviews with patients and nurses after the sessions. Findings show that APBC in hospitalized patients with severe COPD is a complex integrated pattern of body care activities that can proceed with a greater or lesser degree of success. The main problem is how to keep the patient's breathing under control while optimizing comfort and well-being. Curtailing addresses this problem. Curtailing is a subtle, purposeful balancing of protection from breathlessness and promotion of patients' present and future functional capacity in order to preserve their integrity. The idea that body care is a simple task belonging to patients' private daily lives may obscure the importance of determining a mutual nurse-patient agenda and the professional nurse responsibility may consequently be nebulous. Finding in this study will contribute to the development of a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the APBC and suggest the need for further investigation of the interaction perspective.

The importance of skin care and assessment.

This article discusses the importance of skin care, including the more general aspects of skin care for the whole body. The information provided should be of benefit to both general and specialist nurses who have a specific responsibility for patients at risk of skin breakdown or damage. By outlining the structure and function of the skin, explaining how skin is damaged, examining the effects of incontinence and questioning current skin cleansing practices, the practitioner will be guided through the process of skin assessment and be introduced to skin care protocols.

'The day of the soft towel?': comparison of the current bed-bathing method with the soft towel bed-bathing method.

The impressions of 200 patients (both medical and surgical) and 200 nursing staff (registered, enrolled and trainee enrolled nurses) in relation to two bed-bathing methods were compared by means of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Data regarding costs were obtained from appropriate cost centre managers. The results of the study found the soft towel bed-bathing method to be more cost effective and provide more patient and nurse satisfaction than the current bed-bathing method.