Investigation of the effects of body bath types on the skin in intensive care

This research study was conducted semi-experimentally, with the aim of examining the effects of the type of bath used in intensive care on the skin, with 68 patients followed up intensive care units of Bolu İzzet Baysal State Hospital between July 25 and December 25, 2023. The sample size of the study was determined by G-Power analysis. The groups were divided by into two as washing (n:34) and wiping (n:34) groups by randomization method. Data were collected with the Patient Information Form, Whole Body Skin Evaluation Form, Non-invasive Bioimpedance Skin Analysis Form. Skin moisture/oil ratio measurement were performed in both groups before the procedure. Skin analysis was repeated in both groups after 72 hours. The statistical analysis of the research was examined using the SPSS 24 package program, Mann Whitney U and Wilcoxon Test. Washing group patients participating in the study 70.6 per cent of them are male and 29.4 per cent are female patients, wiping group patients 50 per cent male and 50 per cent were female patients. 78.8 per cent of the washing group patients and 88.4 per cent of the wiping group patients were elderly aged 65 and over. In post-application comparision between groups, it was observed that there was a significant difference in hair, eye, ear, nose, hand and nail, foot and nail care (p<0,05), while there was no significant difference in perineum and axilla care (p>0,05). In addition, while there is no significant difference in fat ratio in the variables forehead, face, chin, chest, hands, volar faces, abdomen, feet, scapulae, a significant decrease in water content was observed (p>0,05). In the pretest-posttest evaluation within the group, no significant difference was found in the variables of hair, eye, ear, nose, axilla, hand and nail, perineum, foot and nail care (p>0,05). As a result of the research study it was revealed that the type of bath applied in the intensive care unit affected other regions except the perineum and axilla area. Moreover, while there was no difference in the skin fat ratio between groups, there was a significant decrease in the skin water ratio. In line with this result, it is recommended that nurses use the wiping bath in the clinic, considering that it preserves the moisture ratio of the patients' skin.