title: Skin hydration in nursing home residents using disposable bed baths.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate a new way for applying bed baths and reducing the risk for dry skin by comparing the effect of two washing methods on skin hydration. A cluster randomized trial was conducted. Skin hydration was measured before and after implementation of disposable wash gloves, using a MoistureMeter SC at three skin sites. Total skin hydration did not differ between residents at the start of the study in both groups. After implementation, the post minus pre hydration scores were higher for the intervention group than the control group at all skin sites. However, the difference was only significant at cheek site. The use of disposable wash gloves does not increase the risk for dry skin in comparison with traditional washing methods. These results may encourage the introduction of disposable wash gloves as an innovation in daily skin care practice.
authors.affiliation: Odisee University College, Department of Health Care, Hospitaalstraat 23, 9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium; Curando OLV van 7 Weeën vzw, Pensionaatstraat 8a, 8755 Ruiselede, Belgium. Electronic address: katrin.gillis@odisee.be.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gillis
authors.affiliation: Odisee University College, Department of Health Care, Hospitaalstraat 23, 9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tency
authors.affiliation: Odisee University College, Agro-and Biotechnology, Hospitaalstraat 23, 9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium; StatUa, Center for Statistics, University of Antwerp, Kipdorp 61, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roelant
authors.affiliation: AZ Nikolaas, Hospitaalstraat 17, 9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sarina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laureys
authors.affiliation: Curando OLV van 7 Weeën vzw, Pensionaatstraat 8a, 8755 Ruiselede, Belgium.
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Devriendt
authors.affiliation: Curando OLV van 7 Weeën vzw, Pensionaatstraat 8a, 8755 Ruiselede, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lips
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001494:Baths / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Basic care; Elderly; Intervention research; Long term care; Nursing practice