PATIENT HANDLING Spotless Safety Jason Ashman, Managing Director of Reval Continuing Care, discusses the major safety


considerations you should bear in mind when specifying assisted bathing and showering solutions for care facilities.


Whether incapacitated due to a critical condition, long-term illness, or obesity, individuals that cannot independently access the bathroom still require an effective personal hygiene routine. Technology has developed so much beyond the old-fashioned bed bath and now offers bedside showering systems that provide uncompromising hygiene levels within the safety and comfort of an individual’s own bed.


There’s no question there are assisted bathing products on the market that can tackle personal hygiene requirements safely and effectively, but what about those all-important assurances?


When blinded by the latest innovations and technology in assisted bathing solutions, installing confidence can be a difficult task, so how do you select assisted bathing systems that are fit for purpose?


Essentially, assisted bathing equipment should enable rather than hinder. Whether the challenge is to acquire assisted bathing solutions for therapeutic functions or to make light and dignified work of the practicalities of attending to personal hygiene, it has to work well in a demanding environment.


First and foremost, maintaining personal hygiene, is absolutely critical in maintaining health, welfare and avoiding infections, the CQC’s Regulation 12: Safe care and treatment states “Providers must assess the risks to people’s health and safety during any care or treatment and make sure that staff have the qualifications, competence, skills and experience to keep people safe.


“Providers must prevent and control the spread of infection. Where the responsibility for care and treatment is shared, care planning must be timely to maintain people’s health, safety and welfare.”


Assisted bathing products must comply with the regulations, individuals receiving care will have some degree of functional mobility and others will have a much higher dependency due to less mobility. Either way, the products chosen must provide safe support, and the carers assisting with the ability to carry out their duties easily and safely without injury.


Helping with this process, assisted bathing products range from ergonomically designed baths with high-low function, preventing the risk of caregiver back strain; vertical-raise side entry doors allowing for easy access; and tilting functions allowing for a semi-reclined posture. Ensuring maximum mobility, added assistive equipment, such as transfer equipment, hoists and stretchers, ensure maximum safety all at the touch of a button.


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Protect your staff and service-users and request evidence the product is compliant. Products BS 6920 certified, and WRAS category 5 certification, can provide that assurance. It’s worth noting, without those assurances, the care provider isn’t meeting strict water regulations and isn’t protected from back-flow contamination, which could result in a legionella outbreak leading to serious illness and in the worst case, death.


Manufacturer guarantee and warranty are important considerations. An assisted bathing product in a care setting should be commercial grade, not domestic. The product should be able to withstand repeated daily use without materials and components becoming compromised. Specifically confirm whether the metal components are stainless or powder coated. That’s the difference between rusting and delamination of painted parts, which ruin the finish of the product and compromise safety and cleaning protocols.


No one wants an out of order bathroom in a care home. Ensure yours is fit for purpose and designed and manufactured for industrial use. From the core body of the product to those hidden components, quality is paramount. Ask yourself, will the product last, will it satisfy moving and handling needs, is it safe and hygienic, does it meet water regulations and will it meet with the varied mobility and dependency needs of those in your care?


www.revalcc.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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