How to Bathe Patients After Hip Surgery

Caring for a patient after hip surgery is a challenging task. You need to be extra careful, especially when moving the patient. While the patient won't be able to take a bath herself for eight weeks after surgery, you can help bathe her by using a few simple techniques. Make sure you always communicate with the patient during a sponge bath to ensure she's not experiencing discomfort or pain.

Things You'll Need

• Basin
• Liquid soap
• Wash cloth
• Drying towel
• Pillow

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Instructions

• 1

  Bring water to a boil in a large pot, and pour it into a wash basin. Then pour in the same amount of cold water. That way, the water will be a comfortable temperature for the hip surgery patient.

• 2

  Wet a washcloth in the basin, and add a small amount of liquid soap. Gently rub the wash cloth over the patient's skin. Be sure to avoid the incision area during the sponge bath. This will be covered in a bulky bandage that shouldn't get wet.

• 3

  Help the patient lean over and slightly roll to clean his backside. Be sure you always roll the patient onto the hip that did not have surgery. When helping him move, be careful to not rotate the hip that had surgery, as this can cause dislocation.

• 4

  Keep a pillow between the hip patient's legs during the sponge bath and especially while moving her. This pillow keeps her hips in place and prevents dislocation. The only time the pillow should be removed is when you bathe the inside of the patient's thighs.

• 5

  Dry off each individual area after cleaning. This will help keep the patient warm and comfortable while you bathe him. You should also consider covering his top half with a warm blanket as you clean the bottom half and vice versa.