Undertake personal hygiene for individuals who require additional support to care for themselves
Overview
This standard covers undertaking personal hygiene for those individuals who require additional support to care for themselves. This includes care of the skin, mouth, nose, eyes and ears.
This may occur in hospital intensive care and high dependency situations but would also apply in care/residential homes, hospices and the individual's own home.
On occasions you may be required to carry out these activities under aseptic conditions and you will need to follow organisational guidelines and procedures.
Users of this standard will need to communicate effectively to meet individuals' needs and wishes and work in line with health and safety legislation, policy and practices.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1. identify and agree the roles and responsibilities of yourself and/or others in undertaking personal hygiene for individuals who require additional support to care for themselves
P2. provide support to the individual, ensuring that you respect their rights and wishes relating to their privacy, beliefs and dignity
P3. where applicable to the situation, use aseptic technique following organisational procedures
P4. check the individual's identity and the confirm the planned activity
P5. give the individual relevant information, support and reassurance in a manner which is sensitive to their needs and concerns
P6. establish consent and prepare to undertake the personal hygiene activity
P7. confirm all equipment and materials for personal hygiene are:
a. as prescribed/detailed in the individual's plan of care
b. appropriate to the procedure
c. fit for purpose
P8. carry out the personal hygiene:
a. at an appropriate time according to the individual's plan of care
b. using appropriate techniques
c. in a manner which optimises the comfort, privacy and dignity of the individual and minimises pain and trauma
P9. observe and support the individual throughout the personal hygiene
P10. complete all relevant documentation, if required, for undertaking personal hygiene for individuals who require additional support to care for themselves
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions, legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols needed to undertake personal hygiene for individuals who require additional support to care for themselves
K2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
K3. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
K4. the principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
K5. the needs of individuals including issues relating to dignity, confidentiality, and privacy
K6. the importance of applying standard infection control precautions to undertaking personal hygiene and the potential consequences of poor practice
K7. why individuals should be supported and informed about the activity or procedure
K8. why resources should be prepared before you start the activity
K9. why your personal beliefs may cause you difficulties with certain procedures and how you manage this conflict in practice
K10. the concerns and worries which individuals may have in relation to some personal hygiene activities
K11. the adverse reactions which may occur during and following personal hygiene activities and how to identify and deal with these
K12. the anatomy and physiology relevant to cleansing the skin, nose, mouth, eyes and ears
K13. the equipment and materials required for the procedure
K14. the importance of undertaking personal hygiene activities for individuals
K15. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements