Antiseptic Baths Significantly Reduce Blood Infection Risk In Critically Ill Children

Antiseptic baths with diluted chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) safely reduces risk of bloodstream infection in critically ill children.

A bedside bath or sponge bath is an alternative to regular bathtub bathing or showering. It is usually done to patients where water immersion is challenging or may pose a health risk.

Sponge baths are important for bedridden patients not only for personal hygiene but also because of bedsores. Bedsores form when excess dirt and oil accumulate in the body because of limited mobility.

Bedside baths are done with a sponge, soap, and water. There are products that are specifically made for these kinds of baths. Regular soap tend not to rinse off well during bedside baths and may cause irritation.

New Technologies Can Make Caregiving Easier

According to a study published by the National Alliance for Caregiving and UnitedHealthcare, those who care for elderly family members or friends think technology could make their responsibility easier.

The study found that over 70 percent of caregivers think technology could save them time, manage the logistics of caregiving more easily, increase feelings of effectiveness as a caregiver, reduce stress and make the person for whom they care for feel safer.

These technologies could help caregivers ensure that they are giving their loved ones the best possible care. Through the use of digital tools, caregivers and doctors can properly coordinate the patient’s care, confirm that medication is being taken correctly and help caregivers monitor their loved ones from
remote locations.

According to the study, 77 percent of caregivers want access to electronic medical records. This will give them the information they need to make better-informed decisions on patient care. Many patients see more than one physician, which can make keeping up with appointments, lab results, previous care and health history very difficult on the caregiver.

Having online access to their loved ones health records would decrease the chance of missed appointments and errors in care. However, coordination of care for a patient between the doctor and the caregiver can be tricky, because doctors must first obtain permission from the patient that their caregiver can have access to their medical records. However, if the caregiver has power of attorney, this permission is not n needed.