Are patients not washed any more in hospital?

[Shortkiwi]

I am a nurse of over 40yrs plus. My 93 yr old father has been in hospital for a week. We have visited every day and had to wash and shave him in the afternoon or evening because it hasn’t been done. When I asked if he could be showered one evening, for the next day, I think they showered him but without using soap or shampoo, basically hosed him down from what he reported. His hair was definitely not washed. His teeth have not been cleaned without us doing them. Shaving is definitely not on the agenda. When I was a young nurse it was a given that patients were bathed each day, either in the bathroom or in bed. Teeth/dentures were cleaned and male patients shaved. We were admonished if these things weren’t done. Dad’s ward was very quiet today with several nurses chatting at the nurses station. They were very happy to get us any personal items we didn’t have. I just think if it wasn’t for us he wouldn’t be clean. He actually said, through his dementia, how much better he felt today after we showered him and washed his hair and said it would last him for a while! Which it won’t of course!
We had a list, in the old days, in terms of total patient care, in which we had to tick off items of personal hygiene for every patient in both our theory and practice. I’m sad for those that might not have relatives to attend to personal hygiene these days. It has never been discussed that we would do it, it’s just not been done. Basically, we have had to take the initiative. Years ago there were charts and care plans at the end of the bed, now it’s all computerised. I can excuse the 3 days of hell in A&E but not these last 4 days on the ward. My Dad is not mobile unless he has a lot of help and he is confused.

So sorry this has happened to you, Trine1. I hope you are feeling better.

Same here

My Father recently passed away. Whilst in hospital, the Nurses all stood or chatted around the Nurses Station and were loathe to look you in the eye if you dared to loiter to ask a question

👍

I used to go in sort out my husband Mum, and Dad.. No good relying on hospital staff any more.

It really is in a sorry state. I've had relatives in and faced similar issues. Also things you wouldn't usually think of like getting a hairdresser willing to come in, chiropodist if you can't cut the nails yourself, and additional things like cut their nasal hair. This is for longer term stays.

Go to your MP, as I have, basic care and hygiene like getting a wash, hair cleaned etc are basic things everyone should except. I feel sorry for people who are in hospital medium or long term who have no relatives or friends to check on them.

It was happening years ago. I wasn't brought food at all sometimes in hospital after I had my first child and was in a terrible state. They just forgot about me.

In 2005 - 2007 my mother was regularly in and out of hospital. Each time she was admitted, we had to take her food in for the first few days. She had to follow a strict gluten free diet and it took a along time before she was given food she could eat. And in 1998, à terminally ill hospitalised friend was given tea in plastic cups. They were left in a row on her hospital over bed table. Problem was, she was too weak to lift the cups to her lips. When I visited her, she gulped down the pineapple juice I gave her. I complained to the doctor and nurses on duty...

I'll probably have my arse handed to me on a plate....but it is lazy attitiude and just not seen as a priority, in my opinion.
I worked for years on an extremely busy surgical ward. Very ill patients. Every single one was washed in the shower daily, drips and all. The odd patient went to the basins themselves and a handful were bed bathed if very unwell.
It is disgusting not to wash patients properly. And i cant listen to the 'no time' complaints. It is a basic necessity. You chat to the patient, find out how they are doing, who lives with them, how will they manage at home, who will be able to help if any one? It takes 10 fricking minutes to wash someone, 2 to brush their teeth. They will feel 100% better, it keeps them moving, reduces infections, and just gives people such a boost. It's a disgrace if people are not washed.
Nurses are too busy now looking up blood results and doing other 'Dr' jobs that they have been encouraged to do. Fine, do it if you want, but if you have time AFTER the washing. Feeding and then washing, if that isn't done, you are not nursing.
I'm a sister in an extremely busy front line unit. I don't need anyone to tell me I don't know or understand, I do know. Just wash your patients.

In many cases I don’t believe the wards are too busy. I’ve nursed on busy wards where the basics still get done. I believe in most cases it is due to a lack of competence and care and leadership in nursing staff who have degrees and don’t think basic patient care is anything to do with them.
I’ve had contrasting experiences with my elderly parents. One had amazing nursing care and personal care and thrived. One in a different hospital had no care, down to not being supported to eat or drink or washed.
ward managers hide behind paperwork and set terrible examples.

What’s happened to the ward sisters who used to rule the ward with a rod of iron. Do they not exist anymore? When my father was dying he was terrified to be in hospital. He said nursing staff would ignore people crying out in pain or a man who fell on the floor and was just left there calling for help. He had to get out of bed to help the man up .

Was this recent- sorry see it was years ago

What’s happened to the ward sisters who used to rule the ward with a rod of iron. Do they not exist anymore?

well workers have many more rights than on the past - it’s very hard to sack someone so the lazy ones stay on plus no senior staff member wants a bullying accusation against them - which of course can be made over anything nowadays.

I was in hospital for two weeks, extremely unwell with chemo toxicity, and unable to get out of bed to wash for the first 4 days. I was washed every day, but not offered any help with tooth brushing or given a bowl and beaker of water to do this with. After those first few days I was helped to wash at the basin in my side room for the next few days. I couldn't do it all on my own as I could barely stand. Once I was well enough to walk to the shower (with a walker) I showered myself - there was a shower stool available to sit on and pull cords for emergency help.

I was lucky to be in a side room for most of the time, I am not sure I would have had as much help on us main ward.