page sections

Perineal Care

 

this needs to be cleaned up...

 

p. 544 Giving Perineal Care to a Female Client

 

<pre-procedure>

 

#1 Identify the client, according to the employer policy.

#2 Explain the procedure to the client.

#3 Wash Hands and Wear Gloves when necessary.

#4 Collect the following:

#5 Place paper towels on an overbed table (in a facility) or on a work area within easy reach from the bedside. Arrange items on top of the paper towels.

6 Provide for privacy.

7 Raise the bed to a comfortable working height. Follow the care plan for bed rail use.*

8 Lower the bed rail near you, if it is up.

9 Cover the client with a bath blanket. Move top linens to the foot of the bed.

10 Position the client on her back. Remove garments from the waist down.

11 Position waterproof pad under the client's buttocks.

12 Drape the bath blanket in a diamond shape from top corner at chest and other corner at private area for simpler access.

13 Raise the bed rail to ensure safety.

14 Fill the wash basin. Measure water temperature according to employer policy. Test temperature also by using your wrist or your elbow.

15 Place the basin on the overbed table or work area.

16 Lower the bed rail.

17 Help the client flex her knees and spread her legs. If she cannot flex her knees, help her spread her legs as much as possible with her knees straight. *BE VERY CAREFUL AND GENTLE WITH CLIENTS WHO HAVE HAD HIP AND/OR KNEE SURGERY.*

18 PUT ON GLOVES.

19 Fold the corner of the bath blanket between the client's legs on to her abdomen.

20 Wet the wash cloths. Squeeze our excess water from wash cloths before using them.

21 Apply soap to a wash cloth.

22 Separate the labia. Clean downward from front to back with one stroke. Clean downward with different finger for each stroke.

23 Use a clean part of the wash cloth for each stroke. Use more than one wash cloth if needed.

24 Rinse the perineum with a clean wash cloth. Separate the labia. Stroke downward from front to back. Both sides and the centre. Use a clean part of the cloth each time.

25 Pat the area dry with a towel.

26 Fold the blanket back between the client's legs covering their private area.

27 Help the client lower her legs and turn on to her side away from you.

28 Apply soap to a wash cloth.

29 Clean the rectal area. Separate buttocks and clean from the vagina to the anus with one stroke. REPEAT UNTIL CLEAN, USING MORE THAN ONE WASH CLOTH WHEN NEEDED.

30 RINSE THE RECTAL AREA WITH A WASH CLOTH. Use more than one wash cloth when needed.

31 Pat the area dry with the towel.

32 Remove the waterproof pad.

33 REMOVE GLOVES AND WASH HANDS AT LEAST 20 SECONDS WITH SOAP AND WATER.

 

<post-procedure>

 

34 Provide for safety and comfort.

35 Cover the client.

36 Remove the bath blanket.

37 Place the call bell within reach.*

38 RETURN BED TO ITS LOWEST POSITION. FOLLOW THE CARE PLAN FOR BED RAIL USE.*

39 Empty and clean the wash basin. Return basin and supplies to proper places.

40 Wipe off the overbed table working are with paper towels, and discard paper towels.

41 Follow employer policy for dirty linen.

42 WASH HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER AT LEAST 20 seconds.

43 ** Report and Record your actions and observations, according to employer policy.