10/07/2025
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹?
In an insightful article by Patrick van de Poel, registered nurse and infection prevention advisor, published in TVZ Nursing in Practice (2010), he showed how this method could improve hygiene and reduce workload in care settings. But he also warned that if not used correctly, waterless washing could actually increase the risk of infections.
𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 - 𝗶𝗳 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲.
With growing pressure on healthcare staff and budgets, we must make sure that saving time or money never comes at the cost of patient safety.
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹.
Washing without water is designed to reduce infection risks, but only if used properly. That means:
✅ Using one package of eight wipes per client, using each wipe only once and on one side.
✅ Never reusing a package between clients.
✅ Avoiding adding extra liquids that could damage the skin or increase infection risk.
✅ Choosing quality and skin-safe products from reliable suppliers.
💡The daily bed bath remains a key moment for infection prevention. By correctly using washing without water products, we protect both the skin integrity and overall health of those in our care.
