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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01187732

Washing Without Water: Cost-effectiveness of a Rapidly Spreading Nursing Intervention in Bedridden Patients'

The purpose of this study is to compare the traditional bed bath with 'washing without water' on

* 1) effects on skin integrity * 2) patient and nurse satisfaction and 3) costs. In a cluster randomized trial we will randomize 50 nursing home wards (576 patients) to 'washing without water' or traditional bed baths. Bathing regimens are continued for six weeks.

Whereas effects on skin damage are not likely to be specific for setting, these results can be generalized to other patient groups.

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Key information

Conditions

Skin Disease Aberrant Motor Behavior in Dementia Aggression Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Dermatitis Erythema Intertrigo Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Skin Diseases Skin Diseases, Eczematous Skin Manifestations Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Social Behavior

Age range

45 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Radboud university medical center

Nijmegen, Gelderland, 6500 HB, Netherlands

About this study

RAPID IMPLEMENTATION of new interventions while cost-effectiveness and acceptability for patients and care providers are unclear, is never desirable. 'Washing without water' is such an intervention.

The traditional bed bath is executed by using tap water, towels, washcloths and soap. As an alternative, 'WASHING WITHOUT WATER' was recently introduced in the Netherlands. This concept consists of disposable washcloths made of a mix of soft synthetic fibers, saturated with a no rinse, quickly vaporizing skin cleaning and caring lotion. 'WASHING WITHOUT WATER' can be used with all patients who need bathing assistance, especially when taking a shower or sitting in a hot tub is not possible.

However, while several claims are made about the positive effects of 'washing without water' as compared to traditional bathing, EVIDENCE IS LACKING. Also, 'washing without water' is CONTROVERSIAL. While some are eager to adopt the new concept, others see it as 'efficiency gone loose' and denying patients one of the most basic elements of care: a proper bath. This study therefore addresses the cost effectiveness of 'washing without water' in bedridden patients.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • long stay psychogeriatric nursing home residents
  • long stay somatic nursing home residents
  • 100 randomly selected nurses from the participating nursing home wards

Exclusion criteria

-

Treatment and study plan

Washing without water

Device

The experimental intervention is 'washing without water' and consists of disposable washing cloths made of a mix of soft synthetic fibers, saturated with a no rinse, quickly vaporizing skin cleaning and caring lotion.

Other names: bag baths, disposable washing cloths

Primary outcomes

  1. the primary outcome is prevalence of care associated skin damage

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    Skin damage is defined as intertrigo, dermatitis and/or other erythema on skin areas which were not exposed to pressure directly before observation.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Patient and nurse satisfaction with bathing technique

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    • patient perceived discomfort during bathing
    • nurse perceived work load
    • observed bathing quality

  2. Cost bathing

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    Bathing and skin damage associated costs will be calculated from the costs of bathing and skin care associated staff time and the materials used.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Betsie van Gaal

Other

Collaborators

  • ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development

Registry information

Official study title

WASHING WITHOUT WATER Cost-effectiveness of a Rapidly Spreading Nursing Intervention om Bedridden Patients'

Acronym: WWW

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2012
First posted
Aug 24, 2010
Registry last updated
Apr 25, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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