Hand washing can make the world of difference to patients in bed

As a nurse of many years, I often tell students to think about the simple things that can make a difference to patients in hospital. This idea is so simple to organise and can bring great pleasure to bed-bound patients.

We all need to wash our hands many times each day for a variety of reasons. But patients, who cannot use a shower or bath, often miss the benefits we all feel when we soak our hands in warm soapy water.

Although it is possible to clean hands with an hygienic damp cloth or hand gel, many patients would prefer to use a bowl of water. As long as they don't have any wound or injury that would make this inappropriate, a few moments to soak and gently massage their hands can be hugely relaxing, especially if they are stiff or have very limited sensation.

Obviously, it is important that this procedure is properly supervised to avoid major spillage!

Note It is very important that hands are dried very thoroughly particularly between the fingers, as any lingering dampness can lead to infection.

Nicola