5.18 Skills Checklist: Perineal Care (Female)
- Gather Supplies: Basin, warm water, soap, four washcloths, one towel, barrier, gloves, and linen bag or hamper
- Routine Pre-Procedure Steps:
- Knock on the resident’s door.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Maintain respectful, courteous, and professional communication at all times.
- Introduce yourself and identify the resident.
- Provide for privacy.
- Explain the procedure to the resident.
- Procedure Steps:
- Raise one side rail of the bed after checking the resident’s mobility and their preferred side to lie on.
- Put on gloves.
- Raise the bed height if needed.
- Fill the basin with warm water and place it on a flat surface with a barrier underneath. Have the resident check the water temperature by placing their hand in the basin or putting a wet washcloth on the back of their hand.
- Turn the resident or raise their hips and place a barrier (a towel, waterproof soaker pad, disposable pad, etc.) under their buttocks.
- Expose their perineum only.
- Separate the labia.
- Use water and a soapy washcloth.
- Clean one side of the labia from top to bottom.
- Using a clean portion of the first washcloth, clean the other side of the labia from top to bottom.
- Using a clean portion of the first washcloth, clean the vaginal area from top to bottom.
- Put the first washcloth in the linen bag.
- Using the second clean washcloth, rinse one side of the labia from top to bottom.
- Using a clean portion of the second washcloth, rinse the other side of the labia from top to bottom.
- Using a clean portion of the second washcloth, rinse the vaginal area from top to bottom.
- Put the second washcloth in the linen bag.
- Avoid overexposure throughout the procedure.
- Pat dry.
- Cover the exposed area with the bath blanket.
- Assist the resident to turn onto their side facing away from you and ask the resident to hold onto the raised side rail.
- Using the third clean washcloth, apply water and soap.
- Using a clean portion of the third washcloth, clean one side of the buttock, wiping away from vagina.
- Using a clean portion of the third washcloth, clean the other side of the buttock, wiping away from the vagina.
- Using a clean portion of the third washcloth, clean the rectal area wiping away from the vagina.
- Put the third washcloth in the linen bag.
- Using the fourth washcloth, rinse one side of the buttock wiping away from the vagina.
- Using a clean portion of the fourth washcloth, rinse the other side of the buttock wiping away from the vagina.
- Using a clean portion of the fourth washcloth, rinse the rectal area wiping away from vagina.
- Put the fourth washcloth in the linen bag.
- Pat dry.
- Safely remove the waterproof pad from under the buttocks.
- Remove the gloves, turning them inside out.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Position the resident on her back.
- Put on clean gloves.
- Dispose of soiled linen in the designated laundry hamper.
- Empty the equipment.
- Rinse the equipment.
- Dry the equipment.
- Return the equipment to storage.
- Remove the gloves, turning them inside out.
- Dispose of the gloves in an appropriate container.
- Post- Procedure Steps:
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Check for resident comfort and ask if anything else is needed.
- Ensure the bed is low and locked. Check the brakes.
- Place the call light or signaling device within reach of the resident.
- Open the door and privacy curtain.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Document and report any skin issues or changes noted with the resident.
View a YouTube video[1] of an instructor demonstrating female perineal care:
- Chippewa Valley Technical College. (2022, December 3). Perineal Care (Female). [Video]. YouTube. Video licensed underCC BY 4.0. https://youtu.be/6Xu2Sgk1y80 ↵
