Providing Perineal Care

Providing Perineal Care

Equipment
■ Procedure gloves.
■ Basin or perineal wash bottle.
■ Waterproof pad.
■ Bedpan or portable sitz tub (optional).
■ Towel.
■ Wash cloth.
■ Toilet tissue.
■ Cleansing solution or soap.
■ Perineal ointment if needed.

Assessment:
■ Assess:
■ Mobility.
■ Activity tolerance.
■ Ability to assist with perineal care.
■ Check for positioning or activity restrictions.
■ Identify specific needs regarding perineal care (e.g., cultural preferences, presence of a urinary drainage catheter, perineal surgery, or lesions).
■ Be Smart! If there are lesions or skin breakdown, you may need to
use special soaps and/or lotions.
■ Incontinence or drainage requires assessment and follow-up to
prevent Impaired Skin Integrity.

Key Points:
■ Provide privacy; keep the patient covered as much as possible.

■ For females: Fold a bath blanket into the shape of a diamond. Wrap the side points of the diamond around the patient’s legs.
■ For males: Place a bath blanket over the chest, then fold bed linens down to expose the groin.

■ Place a waterproof pad under the patient to protect the bed linen.
■ Use warm water (105 F, or 41 C).
■ Follow the principle of “clean to dirty” (front to back for women).

Documentation
■ You will usually chart perineal care on a flowsheet.
■ For a narrative note, also chart patient responses to the procedure, the condition of the perineal area, and the patient’s comfort status.

Drape for privacy

Wash the head of the penis first