Skin hydration in nursing home residents: an interventional study to compare traditional versus disposable bed bath

Background Dry skin or xerosis is a common problem in elderly, therefore skin care is essential to the wellbeing of nursing home residents. Traditional washing with water and soap is still standard of care, but increasingly replaced by disposable wash gloves with cleansing lotion. However, there is a lack of evidence on the effect of disposable wash gloves on skin hydration. Aims and objectives The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two washing methods (traditional versus disposable bed bath) on skin hydration at stratum cornea level in nursing home residents. Method We’ve conducted an interventional study in which 145 residents from two nursing homes were divided into two groups: 40 residents received the traditional washing method (control group), while disposable wash gloves were provided to 105 residents (intervention group). Skin hydration was measured using a MoistureMeter SC at three skin sites (cheek, hand and lower leg) and two time points (before and after 12 weeks of implementation). Residents characteristics, bath practices as well as environmental influences were recorded. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of AZ Sint-Niklaas hospital (Belgium, EC14045). After an information session, residents or their legal representatives provided written informed consent. Results The mean age of the residents was 85.5 years. No differences were observed in personal characteristics between both groups. Significantly more residents in the control group had a weekly bath and used liquid soap. The mean room temperature was significantly higher in the control group, while humidity was lower. Total skin hydration did not differ between residents at the start of the study in both groups (p=0,213). After implementation, hydration in the intervention group was significantly higher at all skin sites and total skin (p<0,001). In both groups the percentage of residents with dry skin at the legs decreased, but this was higher in the control (14%) versus intervention group (9%)(p