The effect of two different bed baths applied to patients on mechanical ventilation support on vital signs: A randomized controlled trial

This study was carried out as a randomised controlled experimental study to evaluate the effect of two different bed baths, traditional bed bath and disposable wipe bath, on the vital signs of patients with mechanical ventilation support in the intensive care unit. The study was conducted in the Adult Intensive Care Units of a hospital located on the European side of Istanbul between March and June 2023. The study sample consisted of a total of 100 patients, 50 experimental and 50 control groups, who met the inclusion criteria. The vital signs of the patients were recorded just before, during and 30 minutes after bathing. "Patient Information Form" and "Vital Signs Follow-up Form" were used to collect the data. The data were analysed using SPSS 26.0 software. It was found that 57% of the patients were male, the mean age was 65.03±17.28 years, 88% had been hospitalised before and 89% had chronic diseases. It was found that there were statistically significant differences (p<0.001) in all of the vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, body temperature) measured in traditional and disposable wipe bathing methods (p>0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two methods when compared with each other. There was no statistically significant difference in saturation values after bathing in both bath types (p>0.05), and there was no significant change in APACHE II, the amount of oxygen in the supplied air (FiO2) and mechanical ventilation mode (p>0.05). It was found that the disposable wiping bath method lasted longer than the traditional bath method and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). In conclusion, both types of bed baths applied to patients under mechanical ventilation support in intensive care unit were found to affect vital signs. Therefore, vital signs and respiratory parameters should be closely monitored in both types of baths to be selected according to the needs of the individual. In addition, it may be recommended to organise educational programmes about the benefits of bathing and its effect on physiological parameters, and to increase the number of studies comparing the two bathing methods in larger samples.