Combing and Brushing of Hair procedure

A patient hair should be combed and brushed daily most patients do this themselves if the required materials provided and others may need nurse's help (assistance)

Purpose
• Stimulates the blood circulation to the scalp
• Distribute hair oils evenly and provide a healthy sheem
• Increase the patient's sense of well-being.

Equipments
• Comb (which is large with open and long toothed)
• Hand mirror
• Towel
• Lubricant/oils (if required)

Procedure
1. Prepare the patient
• Position the patient in either sitting or semi-fowler's or flat, if the pt is weak to seat or unconscious.
• Place the towel over the patient's shoulder, if in sitting position or over the pillow if pt is in semi-fowler or lying position.
• Remove any pins and ribbons

2. Comb the hair by dividing the hair
• Hold a section of hair 2-3 inches from the end and comb the end until it is free from tangles. Move towards the scalp by combing in the same manner to remove tangles.
• Continue fluffing the hair outward and upward until all the hairs combed.
• Arrange the hair as neatly and simply as possible according to the patient's preference of style.

3. Recomfort the pt
• Remove the towel
• Put patient in comfortable position

4. Care of equipment

5. Documentation
E. Shampooing/Washing the Hair of Patient Confined to Bed

Purpose
• Stimulate blood circulation to the scalp through massaging
• Clean the patients hair so it increase a sense of well-being to the pt
• To treat hair disorders like dandruft

Equipments
• Comb and brush
• Shampoo/soap in a dish
• Shampoo basin
• Plastic sheet
• Two wash towels
• Cotton balls
• Water in basin and pitcher
• Receptacle (bucket) to receive the used water
• Lubricants/oil as required

Procedure
1. Prepare the patient
• Assist patient to move to the working side of the bed
• Remove any hair accessories (e.g. pins, ribbons etc)
• Brush and comb the hair to remove tangles

2. Arrange the equipments
• Place the plastic sheet under patient's head and shoulder
• Remove the pillows from under the pt's head and place it under pt's shoulder (to hyper extend the neck)
• Tuck the towel under the pt's shoulder and neck
• Place (arrange) the shampoo basin under the pt's head with one end extending to the receptacle for used water.
• If there is no shampoo basin, use the plastic sheet, which is under pt's shoulder and head, make a funnel type fold and extend it to the receptacle.
• Place the receptacle on chair/table on the working side of the bed.

3. Protect the patient's eyes and ears
• Place damp washcloths over the pt's eyes to protect from soapy water.
• Place cotton balls in the patient's ears to prevent water collecting in the ear canals.

4. Shampooing/washing the hair
• Wet the hair thoroughly with water
• Apply shampoo (soap) to the scalp.
• Massage all over the scalp symmetrically using your fingertips
• Rinse the hair with plane water to remove the shampoo/soap
• Remove damp washcloth from pt eyes and cotton balls from ears.

5. Dry the patient's hair
• Squeeze the hair with your hands to remove as much water as possible
• Rub pt's hair with towel
• Use hair drier (if available)

6. Ensure pt's comfort
• Remove plastic sheet shampoo basin
• Assist pt for comfortable position
• Assist pt in grooming

7. Care of equipment

8. Documentation and reporting