NURSING GUIDELINE FOR WASHING OF HAIR

1. STRUCTURE STANDARD

1.1 DEFINITION:

The action of cleaning a patient’s hair and scalp in the bed

1.2 STANDARD STATEMENT:

The Nurse shall:
 Ensure patient safety
 Identify the indications of a hair wash
 Identify contra-indications of hair wash
 Prevent medico-legal risks
 Follow the correct sequence for hair wash
 Approach patient holistically
 Communicate verbally and non-verbally
 Record legally and scientific

1.3 OBJECTIVES:
 To promote healthy hair and clean scalp
 To prevent infections
 To stimulate circulation of the blood
 To enhance self-esteem and awareness of patient’s needs
 To assess skin integrity
 To achieve continued nursing care

1.4 STAFF ALLOCATION:

 All categories of staff according to scope of practice

1.5 PRESCRIPTION:

 As per nursing prescription

 As per patient’s request

1.6 EQUIPMENT:

 Two wash basins

 Hair washing trough (if available)
 Patient’s shampoo
 Large plastic bag
 Two or three towels
 Comb or brush (patient’s own)
 Hair dryer ( if available)
 Linen saver or plastic sheet
 Large bucket
 Clean dry linen
 Linen trolley
 Disposable gloves
 Plastic aprons

1.7 PRIOR TO PROCEDURE:

  Identify the patient
 Assessment of patient’s condition and pain
 Check the nursing care plan
 Request an assistant should the patient be unable to assist
 Explain the procedure to the patient and obtain verbal consent
 Ensure privacy, screen bed
 Empty bladder or urinary bag
 Position patient supine (if condition allows)
 Close all doors and windows
 Gather all equipment necessary
 Wash hands
 Don plastic apron

2. PROCEDURE STANDARD

STEP ACTION RATIONALE

1. Prepare all equipment as prescribed Pre-planning prevents
poor performance
Wash hands
Fill the basin with warm water - Test water temperature with To prevent burning of the
inner fore arm patient
2. PREPARATION OF THE BED:

 Pull the mattress down 05 m from head end of bed To prevent the mattress
(therefore pulling from bottom end of bed) from getting wet

 Place a linen saver or plastic sheet on the exposed

frame of the bed

 Move patient up in the bed with head just past the top To place patient in correct
of mattress position for procedure
To ensure comfort of the
 Place a towel under the patient’s shoulders upon a patient
pillow (covered in plastic) and ensure comfort
To prevent water spillage
 Place protective covering on the floor To prevent medico-legal
risks
 If using hair-washing trough, place bucket on floor

3. Don gloves if there is a risk for being exposed to body fluid or Standard precautions
hair infestations
4. With a basin under the head: Wet the hair using a jug

Communicate with the patient throughout the procedure To prevent a fear of the
unknown

Support patient’s neck throughout the procedure To not over-extend

patient’s neck/reduce
strain on muscles

5. Apply a small amount of shampoo and lather on hair Too much shampoo is
 difficult to remove
6. Rinse hair with clean warm water until all shampoo has been To be certain all soap is
removed out of the hair Prevent
dryness of scalp
7. Use conditioner if desired by patient Patient preference
8. Rinse as before
STEP ACTION RATIONALE
9. Dry hair with a towel and keep covered with towel To prevent decrease in
body temperature
10. Whilst washing, rinsing and drying hair, observe for any To ensure early
abnormalities identification of
complications
11. Replace the mattress to correct position. Make the patient Patient safety and comfort
comfortable
12. Replace any soiled linen
13. Remove and clean the equipment Return equipment to store To maintain equipment
room

Remove linen saver/plastic sheet Dispose of linen saver Place To prevent cross infection
the plastic sheet in dirty linen bag
14. Remove aprons and discard To prevent cross infection
15. Remove towel from hair and proceed to dry the hair with a hair To prevent injury or risk to
dryer – if patient is able to dry his/her own hair, allow him/her the patient
to do so, but remain in the room for assistance

Style hair according to patient’s preference

Respect for patient
16. Open curtains and ensure the environment is tidy
17. Wash hands To prevent cross infection
18. Record procedure in progress report and report any To ensure timeous
abnormalities to the registered nurse interventions
Effective communication

3. OUTCOME:

 Practical competence in carrying out said procedure

 Holistic approach to the patient
 Prevention of risks and injury to patient