Economic comparison of the traditional bathing method with the basinless bathing method in coma patients

Abstract

Introduction: The coma patient is a particular and unique patient: he depends completely on the caregivers, more than a neonate. The bed bath of a coma patient is important to maintain his personal hygiene, to clean and refresh, to monitor skin condition and to promote comfort. Modern ICU management must offer a high quality of coma patient care and should be constantly fighting for cost-effective ways of providing that care. Methods: The aim of this study was to compare the traditional bedbathing method with the basinless bed-bathing method. The study focused on nurse satisfaction or acceptance, and the costs of two methods. The study comprised 100 baths of coma patients: 50 completed using the Comfort Bath® (a prepackaged disposable bed bath) and 50 completed using the traditional method. In addition, 30 nurses were recruited and interviewed about their preferences and opinions. The economic study type was costminimization and, in part, cost-effectiveness analysis. Results: For skin softness, administration ease, and nurse satisfaction, there were statistical variations between the two sets of scores, in favour of the Comfort Bath® method. Nurses expressed a clear and significant preference for the disposable bath, corroborating findings by other investigators [1]. The direct costs were: for the soap, water, laundry, equipment and labour, for the time taken to perform the bed-bathing, for logistics and depreciation. The overall cost was less for the disposable bath due to savings in nurses' time and salary (Table 1). (Table presnted) Conclusions The present study confirmed that Comfort Bath®, a one-step bed bath, is an economic and preferred alternative to the basin of water. Considering the cost-minimization, the costeffective use and the significant preference, this prepackaged disposable bed bath symbolizes a new concept in coma patient hygiene.