Manual of Policies and Procedures for Wade Nursing Registry

Giving a Sitz Bath

Material needed:

• Portable plastic sitz bowl
• Hot water
• Water bag and tubing
• Pitcher
• Blanket or large towel
• Cooking thermometer
• Clean dressing or sanitary pad
• Disposable gloves
• Paper bag

Procedure:

1. Explain what you are going to do
2. Wash your hands
3. Obtain material listed above
4. Assist client to bathroom or commode
5. Provide privacy (close door, pull curtains)
6. Put on gloves
7. Help client to remove clothing from below waist
8. Ask client to remove and discard dressing or pad, if worn. Assist, if needed. Observe amount and color of drainage
9. Ask client to void before beginning the procedure
10. Raise toilet seat. Place sitz bowl so the drainage holes are at the back of the toilet. Fill half of plastic sitz bowl with warm water to desired temperature.
11. Close side clamp of bag tubing. Fill water bag with warm water. Hang bag so that it is higher than the toilet
12. Assist client to sit in sitz bowl. If client feels cold, cover shoulder and knee with blanket or towel
13. Place tubing end of water bag in outlet at front of the bowl
14. Instruct client to open clamp of water bag to let warmer water into bowl when begins to cool. Assist as needed
15. Instruct client to call for assistance, if needed. Explain procedure will take 15-20 minutes
16. Remove and discard gloves
17. Wash your hands
18. Check client's condition every seven minutes or more frequently, if needed
19. When time is up, clamp tubing and remove from sitz bath
20. Put on second pair of gloves
21. Assist client to slowly assume standing position
22. Inspect perineal area, note any drainage in water. Dry area and reapply dressing or pad, if needed
23. Assist client to dress, as needed, and to return to chair or bed
24. Empty and disinfect plastic bowl. Flush tubing with water and clean end of tubing. Return to chair or bed
25. Remove and discard gloves, Wash your hands and report any abnormal conditions.