SITZ BATH (HOT APPLICATION) – Purpose, Preliminary Assessment, Preparation of Patient and Environment, Equipment, Procedure and After Care
Sitz bath or hip bath is defined as a bath which is taken in a sitting position. The patient is usually immersed from the midthigh to the hips.
Sitz bath is bathing the perineal area in a sitting position. In this, the buttocks thighs and lower trunk also are immersed in water.
Purpose
- To relieve pelvic congestion
- To treat dysmenorrhea
- To relieve pain, after operation, affecting the perineal area
- To promote drainage of rectal abscess and hemorrhoids
- To relieve pain following cystoscopy
General Instructions
- When the patient takes sitz bath care has to be taken to prevent chills, burns and fainting
- The temperature of the solution or water should be 110 to 115 degree F or 43 to 46 degree celcius
- The temperature of the water should be checked in between and additional hot water is added as necessary
- The duration of bath is 15 to 20 minutes
- Sterile solution, in sterile containers is used for sitz bath. It will reduce the transmission of microorganisms
Solutions Used for Sitz Bath
- Potassium permanganate 1:5000
- Boric acid 1 g to 1 pint
- Eusol solution
Sitz bath is contraindicated during
- Pregnancy
- Menstruation
- Renal inflammation
- Increased irritability of the genital organs
Preliminary Assessment
Check
- Right (correct) patient
- The doctors order for specific instructions
- General condition and diagnosis of the patient
- Type, duration, and medication used for procedure
- Self-care ability to follow instructions
- Articles available in the unit
Preparation of the Patient and Environment
- Explain the procedure to the patient
- Provide privacy if needed
- Arrange the articles at the bedside
- Put off the fan and close the windows
- Check the temperature of the water with lotion thermometer
- Position the patient comfortably
Equipment
- Basin or bathtub
- Bath blanket and safety pins
- Bath towel
- Lotion thermometer
- Mackintosh
- Rubber rings
Procedure
- Hand wash
- Place bath towel and rubber ring in bottom of tub
- Fill 1/3 to ½ full of water
- Check the temperature with lotion thermometer
- Assist patient into the bathtub
- The initial temperature should be 100 degree F and gradually increase to 115 degree F
- Cover the patient in bath blanket
- Leave the in tub for 10 to 20 minutes
- Observe patient’s condition at least every 5 minutes
After Care
- Observe for complications like burns and fainting
- Assist the patient in drying and put on clothing to prevent chilling
- The patient may feel sleepy due to the sedative effect of the size if the sitz bath. So care must be taken to prevent falling
- Provide a comfortable position (lying) to patient
- Replace the equipment after washing
- Wash hand thoroughly
- Record the procedure in nurse’s record sheet
