Registered Mental Health Nursing (RMN)
WASHING OF PATIENT’S HAIR
The act of shampooing a patient’s hair to get rid of dirt and excess oils and make them feel relaxed on the ward. Hair care is an essential activity of daily living.
Purpose
- Stimulate circulation of the scalp
- Boost self-image and wellbeing
- Prevent infection and promote recovery
Equipment
- A trolley
- Top shelf
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Comb
- Brush
- Mirror
- Receiver
- Hair pomade
- Face towel
- Bath towels
- Hair accessories
- Examination gloves
- Gallipot with cotton balls
- Protective material
- Long mackintosh
- Bowl/bucket
- Rubber apron
- Two jugs (big) of water (cold and hot)
- Small jug/pail
- Hair dryer/any accessory to dry hair
- Bottom shelf
- Screen
- Sink if available
- Assisting nurse(s)
Procedure steps
- Establish rapport (refer procedure)
- Explain procedure to patient
- Prepare and send trolley to appropriate place and provide privacy
- Perform hand hygiene, put on rubber apron and don gloves
- Put patient in a desired position
- Arrange long mackintosh into a trough, fashion under the patient’s shoulders, neck and head and extend it down into a bowl/bucket or sink
- Cover the patient’s neck and shoulders with the protective material
- Comb and detangle hair
- Cover patient’s eyes with towel and plug ears with cotton balls
- Wet patient’s hair and apply soap/shampoo
- Massage scalp systematically starting at the front to the back of the head, rinse and repeat till hair is clean
- Wipe any moisture around eye, face and neck with face towel
- Squeeze hair gently, tie hair up in a towel and dry thoroughly with a towel or a hand dryer if available
- Apply pomade, comb and style hair to patient’s preference
- Remove mackintosh and towel, and leave patient dry and comfortable
- Express appreciation to patient and direct him/her to the next activity
- Remove screen, clear trolley, decontaminate used items and perform hand hygiene
- Document procedure, report any abnormalities and indicate patient’s level of co-operation in the nurses’ notes/patient’s folder
References and further reading
Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.
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