Rank: Forum user
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Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could possibly help me at all.
My organisation has care workers who assist vulnerable people with bathing in their own homes. A question I have been posed involves a service user being incontinent whilst being supported in the bath (no shower is available).
I have previously heard of sanitisation products which can be dropped into a bath to kill bacteria, but cannot find anything online. Does anyone know of anything similar?
Thanks
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Rank: Super forum user
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tom,
have you considered something like Miltons which is basically sodium hypochloride 1-5% solution?
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Rank: Super forum user
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If you feel that this is the appropriate place to find the sort of information you ask for then you are way off track and likely to feel the heavy hand of CQC and others.
As an aside, the offering at #2 is both risible and dangerously misleading if not incompetent.
Those having responsibility for such matters at a senior level must contact the relevant PCT for advice. There you will access the relevant specialist guidance, and be reminded of the standards to which you must adhere. The PCT with their regional HCA colleagues, and others, will check any registration requirements are properly in place, define and later examine the standards to which you must adhere.
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Rank: Forum user
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Ian
I don't think it is unreasonable for original poster to use this forum to ask for this information - could you advise why you find it so inappropriate?
Also if you could provide info on the acronyms you have used it would be helpful
Regards FH
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Rank: Super forum user
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fornhelper wrote:Ian
Also if you could provide info on the acronyms you have used it would be helpful
Yes acronyms are a curse aren't they. CQC - Care Quality Commission PCT _ Primary Care Trust HCA - Homes & Communities Agency (I think) I agree that it may be reasonable to ask on this forum as someone ma have that knowledge base. A harsh reponse from Ian in my opinion.
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Rank: Super forum user
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teo99 raises a valid question about a significant occupational health risk for significant numbers of employees working every day with incontinent people in hospitals, care homes and also the homes of such people as described by teo99.
Hopefully, some forum users involved with the types of employers and organisations involved will be able to share information and advice about the sorts of measures which are used to try to minimise the risk for such employees. It's a very unpleasant subject about which most people would prefer not to read, talk or even think - but one which nevertheless needs due attention in order to manage the occupational risk involved.
Also, pleas have been made from time to time in the past for forum users to give the full wordings for acronyms and initialised names which might be unfamiliar to some or most other users.
Like Clairel I wasn't sure about HCA, so did a quick internet search and found numerous possibilities including Healthcare Communications Association, Hospital Caterers’ Association, health care assistants, heterocyclic amines, Hereford College of Arts, Hans Christian Andersen (deceased) Helideck Certification Agency (based in Aberdeen) and the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly!!!
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Rank: Super forum user
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I do appreciate Ian's concerns though. Even at a basic level impermeable gloves should be used in such situations, ie bathing a client/patient and one then wonders how much more one can do. Sanitisation of the bath and equipment is required post bathing but NEVER while the patient is present. The skin of elderly persons is fragile and harsh agents can cause significant damage.
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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Too harsh?
Well, unless you want the care of the elderly and/or other vulnerable members of society to be put at risk by second, or third rate social care services that do not follow, and apparently do not even know, the mandatory standards etc
And this compounded by a well-meant (I assume) but completely unhelpful and wrong suggestion as to some home-spun approach to care hygiene and infection prevention using an off the shelf product.
Those who don't understand the acronyms probably don't need to, while those who must do not - if they were to form any part of the extended team caring for a relative of yours, your attitude would be different, I'm sure.
Now, is this the right place to find guidance. No, it is not. Absolutely not. And those who might think that is wrong must look again at the care of the elderly and infirm. In extremis, decide if you want to take any degree of responsibility for your advice, or just hide behind a nom de plume and offer silly suggestions as if somehow ex Cathedra.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ian
I think you are echoing a fear that many have on this forum when some questions are asked that should in fact be well known to those who really should know. Sometimes though it is better to be a little restrained or else some people press the report concern button. If this happens your feeelings are lost in the ether!! Which would be a real shame as you are absolutely correct in what you say.
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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In my opinion all things [apart from real combat & 007 type areas] are covered by HSWA so this is an appropriate site to ask questions thereafter the person can be directed towards specific areas
The person should have a personal care plan and incontinent areas is a common thing and well understood so the appropriate cleaning system can be used
[A natural soap [I have found that a pure olive oil soap to be very very good] with tap water is hard to beat & I would advise to use that as the first point of call - mixing chemicals on site is really a 'no' 'no' and a persons dignity must be considered especially so as they are in their own home]
And as already pointed out procuring 'off the shelf' substances from an average shop is not the way to go and the various specialists CQC, PCT, HCA etc should be able to provide advice
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Rank: Super forum user
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I have to side with Ian on this. Generally I'm of the "there is no such thing as a silly question" school, where this forum is concerned.
However for "an organisation that has care workers who assist vulnerable people with bathing in their own homes" not to have approved procedures already in place, is highly alarming.
Regards #2 a weak disinfectant like Milton is quickly overwhelmed by the organic content that we are discussing.
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Rank: Super forum user
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There are from time to time questions asked on this forum that on the face of it are amazingly naive, seemingly exposing concerning and dangerous gaps in knowledge. However, in some of the cases that have alarmed me I have later realised that the original poster is likely to be an interested observer seeking confirmation that what is being done is correct, rather than an incompetent practitioner.
A metaphorical smack around the head with a lead-filled sock is an understandable response but maybe not the best one.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ian.Blenkharn wrote:
Now, is this the right place to find guidance. No, it is not. Absolutely not. And those who might think that is wrong must look again at the care of the elderly and infirm. In extremis, decide if you want to take any degree of responsibility for your advice, or just hide behind a nom de plume and offer silly suggestions as if somehow ex Cathedra.
By trying to come across as clever (and I assume you believe those that don't understand your use of language are therefore beneath you) you actually come across as a fool. This forum is not the place to play games of oneupmanship Ian. As I have been reminded on many occasion, this forum is an open forum not just one used by H&S professionals (many of whom are being asked to wear many hats beyond their immediate knowledge of expertise in increasingly difficult times). Don't kick people down with the confidence of your 'superior' knowledge, instead show them the way so they can also increase their knowledge.
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Rank: Guest
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Rank: Super forum user
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Clairel
In this profession we all get prodded at times - sometimes more strongly than others:-) But while Ian was strong in his language I believe that there are times when questions are asked in such a vague way that one has to wonder why such a question is asked, especially when someone purporting to be operating in a sector asks a question that really, for them ought never be a question int he first place.
There is a lesson for us all here - be clear where we are coming from when asking questions that are sector specific and the answers really should be clear to professionals in the sector.
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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Cathedra as in Ex Cathedra - From the chair as when the Pope speaks infallibly but only when speaking Ex Cathedra with the voice of his brother bishops
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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Before users of this forum jump onto their mightily high horses when responding, you should read the post... the OP was asking if anyone had heard of a product that you can simply drop into a bath. Asking such a question does not instantly equate to the fact that he/she are incompetent in their particular field.
Maybe the infection control policy is already in place and they are looking to improve it, maybe they are looking to make the infection control when handling elderly pateints easier and safer for both parties.......
This forum is about asking for help and advice, not about receiving lectures from those who seem to 'know everything' and are above giving advice....
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Rank: Super forum user
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boblewis wrote:Cathedra as in Ex Cathedra - From the chair as when the Pope speaks infallibly but only when speaking Ex Cathedra with the voice of his brother bishops
Bob Cheers, Bob. Can't wait to use it somehow. Probably shout it out loud whilst watching telly from my cathedra in the living room. Maybe get some bishops round and go the whole hog.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I feel some individuals may have scared the questioner off!
It's a shame as due to constraints more and more adults are now being given care hours in their own home to support social budget controls and no doubt is big business for some parties. I just hope that these new business ventures provide the necessary advice to the new carers being recruited in larger numbers!
Anyway apart from prevention and PPE, what's wrong with considering a solution of sodium hypochloride <5% for sanitising as I beleive it's been used for years in various forms/names?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Good point made by Ken Slack at #18 about reading the original post. Though teo99 mentioned the possibility of using anti-bacterial products, he or she did not state that they would be used when clients were still in the baths. We should all bear in mind a variation of the advice given by some teachers and lecturers about examination questions - always read and answer the actual question, not what you think it is or would like it to be!!
MB1 at #2 suggested a dilution of sodium hypochloride (surely sodium hypochlorite) alias bleach. It seems unlikely that there are bleach products specifically intended for contact with human skin, even if considerably diluted. Also, as Boblewis commented, bear in mind that elderly people tend to have very fragile skin akin to tissue paper which is very easily damaged. In the past I've seen the labelling on products like "Dettol" which suggest that they can be used in baths. However, this might have been a legacy from the time when many people didn't have facilities for bathing on a regular basis. Also, if such a product were to be used, great care would be needed to ensure appropriate and safe dilution. Another snag is that the skin of anyone who baths - or is bathed - in a dilution of such a product will tend to smell of the product afterwards.
On a general note regarding forum etiquette, surely a good rule for all of us is not to write anything which we would be reluctant to say directly to others.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Apologies: I should have thought a little more regarding my comments above about bleach solutions. Most swimming pools are disinfected with sodium hypochlorite -which explains why swimmers tend to have a chlorine smell afterwards! However, it's some time since I dealt with swimming pools, so I can't recall what degree of dilution is involved. For our general edification, please can anyone say what the usual dilution is in pools?
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Rank: Super forum user
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I think Clairel and Ken are spot on with their responses. There seems to be a lot of 'reading between the lines' going on of late.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I did scratch my head!
Off the op of my head, as I am at home without my pool book, Sodium Hypochlorite is a commonly used disinfectant in swimming pools; there are others.
‘Dilution’ is dependant on a number of factors including the pH of the water, whether other forms of disinfection are used e.g. UV.
Free Chlorine levels should be as low as possible in order to achieve microbiological control, for an indoor pool within a pH range of 7.2-7.4 this would typically be around 0.5 - 1.0 mg/l and normally no more than 2.0 mg/l. Pools that also use UV can generally have a lower free Chlorine level.
Combined Chlorine (this is what gives pools it’s Chlorine smell) should be kept as low as possible, always less than the free chlorine level and ideally less than half.
Out of interest, and relevant to this thread, is that when there is faecal contamination of a pool, the pool must be cleared, the free Chlorine level raised to the top of the recommended range and the pool water must complete 6 full cycles, and the filters backwashed prior to re-occupation. Chlorine and other biocides are generally relatively effective against most organisms likely to occur in pools however, Cryptosporidium and Giardia are resistant and are best dealt with through the use of a flocculant and physical filtration.
Sorry, not meaning to hijack the thread.
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Rank: Super forum user
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canopener - methinks you have no need to apologise for hijacking the thread - you contributed some useful information to a side development/evolution of the main topic.
Bromine is one of the alternatives to using sodium hypochlorite as a pool disinfectant. It seems to be routinely used in some hydrotherapy pools, like those in two of my employer's special schools. I'm unsure of the reason for using a bromine-based agent, so would welcome suggestions from knowlegeable forum users.
When I used to deal with swimming pools I understood from experts that much of the eye irritation suffered by swimmers and allegedly due to the chlorine based pool disinfectant was actually caused by sweat, cosmetics and urine (from young children and also older but lazy irresponsible pool users) combining with the pool disinfectant. It seems that at most/many UK pools there is little or no encouragement for swimmers to have a good shower to remove sweat and cosmetics, etc before going into the pool. By contrast, pools in some European countries seem to be very keen on pre-swim cleanliness, even though their standards of supervision for safety can be lower in some cases than at British pools.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Speaking generally, but directed most specifically to those who have an opinion about everything and just about as many answers, but who care little about the salience of what they say, those who feel this site is an appropriate source for infection prevention and control information, which may be fixed by an agreed policy and will generally be directed by strict guidelines. Of course, that information is not in the domain of the safety generalists and others here, including those who might be more at home on the railways or on a building site.
Regrettably, it is those same groups who feel able to expound upon almost anything, generally without evidence and often without experience in that subject area.
Criticism brings a collective howl of condemnation - some of it regrettable childish in nature - by those who feel able to criticise all others regardless. The mentality seems to be that of the playground pack; hiding behind a nom de plume makes the situation worse since inadequate or frankly wrong advice is rendered meaningless as it originates from someone who does not identify themselves.
Of course many will wriggle away from this with the classic mantra that, of course, you are only offering advice. There is some collective, and quite foolish, assumption that your advice is given without any responsibility, or perhaps understanding. Too often the advice is incomplete and incorrect (see above re Miltons [sic]). Too often, this standard is evident also in the workplace and does the 'profession' no favours whatsoever.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ian.Blenkharn wrote: Regrettably, it is those same groups who feel able to expound upon almost anything, generally without evidence and often without experience in that subject area.
Criticism brings a collective howl of condemnation - some of it regrettable childish in nature - by those who feel able to criticise all others regardless. The mentality seems to be that of the playground pack; hiding behind a nom de plume makes the situation worse since inadequate or frankly wrong advice is rendered meaningless as it originates from someone who does not identify themselves.
Of course many will wriggle away from this with the classic mantra that, of course, you are only offering advice. There is some collective, and quite foolish, assumption that your advice is given without any responsibility, or perhaps understanding. Too often the advice is incomplete and incorrect (see above re Miltons [sic]). Too often, this standard is evident also in the workplace and does the 'profession' no favours whatsoever.
So instead of Pontificating Ex Cathedra, maybe some should be offering some of the above mentioned advice to the standard that you believe to be appropriate.... Refer back to the OP if in duobt what advice was asked for...
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Rank: Super forum user
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I'm guessing that 'pontificating' is some kind of settee? Oh, this furniture-based safety baffles me so.
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Rank: Super forum user
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To Ian Blenkharn: Fair play to you and I support your input here. Your reply is to the point, and you do not mince your words - important when vulnerable people may be at risk. Our time to respond here is often limited and it is important to get to the (informed) point.
Whatever context readers may choose to attribute to the original post, the nature of the task identifies the matter as one of real concern.
I am more concerned that the usual culprit(s) on this Forum are so quick to react in such a volatile and inflammatory manner on this very public Forum.
Respect.
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Rank: Super forum user
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To echo a suggestion I made some months ago, do other users think this forum should display to all viewers a disclaimer to remind them that no reliance should be placed on information and comments seen on it? The previous version of the forum had such a disclaimer.
With or without a disclaimer, the contents of this discussion forum, open to all users, are variously useful, boring, irrelevant, amusing, ignorant, enquiring, downright wrong, misleading, provocative, cringeworthy, etc. etc. Though there is some moderation (by volunteers) and some users are willing to point out incorrect or misleading information, surely it's up to users/readers ultimately to assess what they read on it. The same should apply to what people see elsewhere on the internet, in newspapers and on TV, etc.
p.s. safetyamateur - isn't pontificating something which pontiffs do?!!!! However, it could also be something to do with bridges in France and also Wales!
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Rank: Super forum user
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quote=Ian.Blenkharn]Criticism brings a collective howl of condemnation - some of it regrettable childish in nature - by those who feel able to criticise all others regardless. The mentality seems to be that of the playground pack; hiding behind a nom de plume makes the situation worse since inadequate or frankly wrong advice is rendered meaningless as it originates from someone who does not identify themselves.
Of course many will wriggle away from this with the classic mantra that, of course, you are only offering advice. There is some collective, and quite foolish, assumption that your advice is given without any responsibility, or perhaps understanding. Too often the advice is incomplete and incorrect (see above re Miltons [sic]). Too often, this standard is evident also in the workplace and does the 'profession' no favours whatsoever. Ian, Instead of using this forum as a mouthpiece for criticism and provocative purposes wouldn't it be a little more appropriate to actually give the professional advice that you must indeed posses regarding the original question by the poster? All I have read is what you wouldn't do and nothing positive to conclude this question. I ask in interest as to what would be a practicable solution to protect the vunerable (and the carer) in such circumstances so we all can learn!
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Rank: Forum user
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Ian.Blenkharn wrote:
Those who don't understand the acronyms probably don't need to, while those who must do not - if they were to form any part of the extended team caring for a relative of yours, your attitude would be different, I'm sure.
Ian - we don't all work with English agencies so I thought asking for more detail on acronyms was a valid question.... my apologies for asking for more info.. even though I probably didn't need to know!! Regards FH
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Rank: Moderator
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Please could posters always treat other forum-users with respect. The questions asked are often to do with a mere fragment of an organisation's arrangements, and you cannot judge these arrangements or the competence of the poster merely on the question asked.
Please also give helpful advice, not destructive criticism, wherever possible.
Moderating team
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ah, while I was away others have stolen my thunder! And I also thank the mods for a sensible and proportionate response as well.
Firstly, those of us that have been here some time will already know that while many of Ian’s post’s are often ‘robust’ his ‘advice‘ (I’ll come back to that later) also appears similarly so. It is important though that misleading or unhelpful ‘advice’ is ‘challenged’ if necessarily ‘robustly’ . In saying that, as we all (mostly) know, it’s not necessarily what you say but how you say it, and I think we can all probably learn to perhaps be a little more careful in our choice of words at times.
I do have some sympathy with Ian’s general comments that infection control in the scenario first posted, is probably more of a matter for the health professionals, rather than something to be dabbled in and I suspect that there is some good advice and guidance already out there.
As far as advice goes, we’ve all seen the ’howlers’ and the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ responses to questions which are in the main of very limited (if any) help unless there is some subsequent basis or reasoning for their response. If you’re giving advice, do try and ’back it up’ if appropriate and if you’re asking for advice do try and give a full and accurate account of the situation, and I suggest that you use any ‘advice’ given here as the basis for YOUR further investigation/research.
Shall we all take a step back and count to ten?
PS - in response to Grahams post at #25, people not showering BEFORE bathing does add considerably to the ’load’ placed on swimming pool plant etc. The chlorine smell is the combined chlorine that has been ’used’ (laymans term) to kill off the various bugs, dirt, grime etc. No piddling in the deep end!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Canopener
Your ps leads to the inexorable conclusion that if a pool hall smells of chlorine it means that disinfection levels of the pool are LOW and such a pool should be avoided by any vulnerable persons. I still would not advise anyone or even contemplate using such chlorine based or any sanitisation in an elderly persons bathing water.
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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Bob, that the post, and my previous one was in response to Graham's query' about swimming pools and is NOT directly related to the original post on bathing.
I think I/we are in danger of hijacking the thread. No I don't think it necessarily means that disinfection levels are low, but that the 'balance' (balanced water is a different thing) between free or available CL and combined CL is 'wrong' i.e. taht the combined level is too high. This can be caused by a variety of things, often a sudden increase in bather load. A strong smell of CL (the smell is actually Chloramines) does however, suggest that the water quality is not what it might be. Most 'modern' set ups have automatic dosing machines that constantly monitor the water quality and adjust the pH and disinfectant levels as necessary. In general, while I suppose that there is always a tangible risk of picking up a 'bug', most vulnerable people (I include myself) should be confident of bathing in a well run swimming pool.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Poor teo99,
All this interesting discussion on the upkeep of swimming pools and yet no advice as to the conundrum of appropriate sanitisation of a vunerable elderly person whilst in a bath.
So if absolutely no chlorine based solution is appropriate what would be in this situation?
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Rank: Super forum user
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The conundrum was actually answered earlier. It is the use of latex/similar impermeable gloves and standard washing aids and soap/similar. This is standard bathing technology.
Sanitisation occurrs post bathing. I am definitely not confusing bathing with bathing as the latter uses a pool in which you could swim:-)
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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On a related issue, I was prompted to ponder the risk to care staff from aerosol-contained bacteria in showers and bath attached shower sprays in such circumstances as the OP describes. Aprons and gloves are the norm for carers here, but what about RPE? Is this declined or resisted in order to maintain a 'human' element to the care provision, and does a dichotomy exist in terms of risk management?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Please note that the original posting was asking if a product was available in the event of a person being incontinent during bathing as stated earlier in the discussion. Many people have then been somewhat hard on the person asking the question pointing out all manner of things without actually helping the person. Many of the national guidelines in infection control do not specifically mention what products to use, just demand certain standards be met with respect to cleanliness and disinfection.
Some people have responded that various organisations might be able to help although some of these are standard setters rather than implementers so may not be aware of the various products available.
The best solution (no pun intended) would be to contact an Infection Control Nurse at either the local Primary Care Trust or at a local hospital. These people have a wealth of knowledge and are always glad to help out.
Take care John C
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