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PubMed2004

[An outbreak of legionellosis in a new facility of hot spring bath in Hiuga City].

Following cerebrating ceremony in 20 June 2002, for the completion of Hiuga Sun-Park Hot Spring Bath "Ofunade-no-Yu" facilities, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu Island, 200 neighbors were invited each day to experience bathing on 20 and 21 June. The Bath "Ofunade-no-Yu" officially opened on 1 July 2002. On 18 July, Hiuga Health Center was informed that 3 suspected Legionella pneumonia patients in a hospital and all of them have bathing history of "Ofunade-no-Yu". Health Center officers notified Hiuga City, the main proprietor of the Bath business, that on-site inspection on sanitary managements will be done next day and requested the City to keep the bath facilities as they are. On 19 July, Health Center officers collected bath water from seven places and recommended voluntary-closing of "Ofunade-no-Yu" business. Because of various reasons, Hiuga City did not accept the recommendation and continued business up to 23 July. Because Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 strains from 4 patients' sputa and several bath water specimens were determined genetically similar by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis of Sfi I-cut DNA. "Ofunede-no-Yu" was regarded as the source of infection of this outbreak. On 24 July, "Ofunade-no-Yu" accepted the Command to prohibit the business. Among 19,773 persons who took the bath during the period from 20 June to 23 July, 295 became ill, and 7 died. Among them, 34 were definitely diagnosed as Legionella pneumonia due to L. pneumophila SG 1, by either one or two tests of positive sputum culture, Legionella-specific urinary antigen, and significant rise of serum antibody titer against L. pneumophila SG 1. In addition to the 8 items shown by Miyazaki-Prefecture Investigation Committee as the cause of infection. Hiuga City Investigation Committee pointed out following 3 items: 1) Insufficient knowledge and understanding of stuffs on Legionella and legionellosis; 2) Residual water in tubing system after trial runs might lead multiplication of legionellae in it; and 3) Inadequate disinfection and washing for whole circulation system prior the experience bathing. The Hiuga City Committee directed 24 measures to improve the sanitary condition of the facility including following 5 items. 1) Fix the manual for maintenance and management of the bath. 2) Keep sufficient overflow of bath water. 3) Put disinfection of filters into practice. 4) Precise measurement and control of the residual chlorine concentration in bath water. 5) Replacement of filtrating material from crushed porous ceramic into natural sand.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A newborn's first bath: when?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of early admission bathing on thermoregulation in newborns. DESIGN: Randomized, comparative study. SETTING: A regional hospital providing primary and secondary newborn care. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred healthy, full-term newborns. INTERVENTIONS: Newborns in the investigational group with a minimum rectal temperature of 36.5 degrees C. were bathed after the newborn admission assessment examination was completed (M = 61.15 minutes of age), whereas newborns in the control group were bathed at the standard of 4 hours of age (M = 252.12 minutes of age). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Rectal temperatures were measured using a Diatek thermometer. Rectal temperatures were recorded during the newborn admission assessment examination, immediately before bathing, immediately after bathing, 1 hour after bathing, and 2 hours after bathing. RESULTS: No significant differences (p < .05) in rectal temperatures, were found between the groups during the admission assessment examination, before bathing, immediately after bathing, 1 hour after bathing, or 2 hours after bathing. No significant differences were found between the groups in type of delivery, time of birth, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes, air temperature, apical heart rate, or respiratory rate. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy, full-term newborns whose rectal temperatures are greater than 36.5 degrees C can be bathed immediately after the admission assessment examination.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of bather and location of first bath on maintaining thermal stability in newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To compare thermal stability during the first bath of newborns bathed by maternal-child nurses in a newborn nursery with thermal stability of newborns bathed by parents at the maternal bedside. DESIGN: A randomized clinical controlled trial. SETTING: A tertiary care hospital in western Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N = 111) were full-term newborns born vaginally. INTERVENTIONS: The experimental treatment was the parent bathing the newborn under nursing supervision at the bedside in the first few hours of birth; the standard treatment was a nurse bathing the newborn in an admission nursery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was newborn heat loss occurring from bathing as assessed by changes in aural temperatures, which were taken before, during, and following bathing. RESULTS: There was no difference in temperature change between newborns bathed by a nurse and those bathed by a parent (F = 0.595, df = 1, p = .442). A return to normal thermal ranges takes approximately an hour. CONCLUSION: Heat loss experienced by newborns during bathing is significant and is not associated with who bathes the newborn or where the bath takes place.

Baths↗
PubMed2005

Phototoxicity of new psoralen-containing gels and creams versus bath PUVA.

BACKGROUND: Bath-PUVA-photochemotherapy has become a useful alternative to oral PUVA therapy due to a number of advantages over systemic PUVA, for example, no ophthalmologic risk and nausea, and a lower cumulative UVA doses. However, its major disadvantage is the logistical requirement for bath tubs in practice and some patients feel uncomfortable to share the same bath with others. Topical psoralen contained preparation may be a good candidate for safe, convenient, and useful regimen in the topical PUVA therapy. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the intensity of the phototoxic response of 8-MOP bath solution to different concentrations of preparations of 8-MOP gels and creams. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Following informed consent, the test bath solution (0.375%), gels (0.0025% to 0.010%) and creams (0.0025% to 0.010%) were applied to the normal-appearing skin of the upper back of 23 volunteers who had no history of photosensitivity. The escalating UVA doses (0.25 to 7.0 J/cm2) were given 15 minutes after application of test substances. Seventy-two hours after UVA exposure minimal phototoxic doses (MPD) were defined visually and the intensity of the erythema response was also assessed by using a narrowband spectrophotometer The MPD and the dose-response curves for erythema response of the gels and creams were compared with those of the bath. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the overall mean MPD of tested gels and that of bath solution (p > 0.05). On the contrary, the cream preparations induced phototoxic response (MPDs) to a lesser degree than bath solution and gels (p < 0.05). When comparing the slope of the dose-response curve for erythema of 0.0025% and 0.0100% gel to that of the bath solution, the correlation is very strong (R2 = 0.987 and 0.936, respectively, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The present study shows that the threshold of phototoxic response of 0.0025% 8-MOP gel indicated by MPD is well correlated with those of the bath solution. The slope of the dose-response curve for erythema of this preparation also significantly corresponded to that of the bath solution. Thus, the penetration and drug delivery of 0.0025% 8-methoxypsoralen gel may be similar to 8-methoxypsoralen bath solution. This preparation may be a good candidate for a useful therapeutic modality for topical PUVA therapy, and further clinical trial should be performed.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗
PubMed1991

Shower versus sink bath: evaluation of heart rate, blood pressure, and subjective response of the patient with myocardial infarction.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a sitting shower versus a sitting sink bath in low-risk patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Heart rate, blood pressure (mean blood pressure and rate-pressure-product), ratings of perceived exertion, and occurrence of symptoms during the baths and between resting, bathing, and recovery periods were evaluated. Thirty patients with MI were tested during their first and second self-bath on 2 consecutive days between 2 and 9 days after MI. The bathing methods produced significant increases from the resting values in all the variables (p less than or equal to 0.05). No significant differences between the resting and recovery values existed (p greater than 0.05). Ten subjects experienced atypical responses to bathing as indicated by heart rate and blood pressures. Fatigue was the most frequently encountered symptom at rest and during the bathing activities. The findings suggest that low-risk patients with MI can choose between a sitting sink bath or a sitting shower as their first self-bath after MI, based on preferences. However, because the bathing activity (and not the bathing method) did produce some atypical responses in one third of the subjects, readiness to engage in bathing activities should be individually assessed by objective and subjective criteria.

Baths↗
PubMed1988

[Effects of bathing on cardiac function in patients with myocardial infarction: hemodynamic and Doppler echocardiographic studies].

Hemodynamic changes during bathing in patients with myocardial infarction were studied using a Swan-Ganz catheter and Doppler echocardiography. The subjects consisted of 14 patients with myocardial infarction (mean age 55.6 years), including the six extensive ones of the anterior wall, five of the anteroseptal wall, two of the inferior wall, and one of the inferoposterior wall. Bathing was by means of 42 degrees C tap water for five min in the supine position in a Hubbard tank. Pulsed wave Doppler was used to analyze left and right ventricular inflow velocity patterns, and continuous wave Doppler was employed to measure right ventricular outflow velocity. Blood pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary arterial wedge pressure and right atrial pressure increased significantly during bathing. After bathing, these parameters decreased and remained lower than the baseline levels before bathing. Heart rate and the cardiac index increased significantly during bathing, but decreased after bathing. The systemic vascular resistance index and pulmonary vascular resistance index decreased significantly during bathing, but increased after bathing. The A/R ratio at the left and right ventricular inflow tracts increased during bathing, and right ventricular outflow velocity increased significantly. However, when the subjects were categorized into two groups, i.e., those whose pulmonary arterial pressure consistently increased to the higher level than the average during bathing and those who did not show any increase, the A/R ratio at the inflow tract of the left ventricle increased significantly during bathing in the former group, but there was no significant change in the latter group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Improving symptoms of senile dementia by a night-time spa bathing.

In our medical and welfare facilities, many patients with senile dementia require aid in taking a bath. In most institutions, patients usually take a bath in the daytime within the working hours of the staff. However, most of these patients used to take a bath in the evening or at night at their homes. Some patients even fall asleep after daylight bathing. Thus, we studied the stabilizing effects of night-time spa bathing on symptoms associated with dementia. Ten patients (two male and eight females, aged 75-88) in special nursing institution for the aged, were enrolled in this study. They were all assessed as +4 on the Karasawa's clinical criteria for grading dementia. For 9 weeks, night-time spa bathing was performed at 18:00-19:00 twice a week. Except for the night-time spa bathing period, the bathing hour was 14:00-15:00 as usual. The observations of symptoms including restlessness, wandering and aggression were carried out ten times daily along with those on sleeping condition five times daily, to compare symptoms and conditions during 2 weeks of baseline daytime bathing periods, 9 weeks of night-time bathing periods and 2 weeks of daytime bathing periods, totaling 13 weeks. The results showed that sleeping conditions were ameliorated in more than 60-90% of the subjects. Their sleeping conditions began to improve 2 weeks after the start of night-time spa bathing with a remarkably improvement 4-6 weeks after the start. Restlessness was recognized in six subjects, wandering in eight and aggression in four at baseline, and 75-100% of the subjects with such symptoms improved markedly.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Time course of 8-methoxypsoralen-induced skin photosensitization in PUVA-bath photochemotherapy.

In recent years PUVA-bath photochemotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment modality for several dermatoses. A limitation of PUVA-bath photochemotherapy has been the lack of guidelines for optimal performance, including the time course of photosensitization of the skin exposed to the 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) bath water solution. In the present study 12 healthy volunteers were exposed to a 20 min bath in 150 l of an 8-MOP water solution (0.5 mg/l, 37 degrees C). Immediately, as well as 1, 2, 3 and 5 h after the 8-MOP bath, irradiation was performed with increasing doses of UVA (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 J/cm2) on 2 cm2 test areas. The minimal phototoxic dose (MPD) was determined 72 h after the UVA exposure. In all volunteers, photosensitization was highest immediately after the bath, with a MPD significantly below 5 J/cm2 (0.5-2 J/cm2). One hour after the bath, erythema could be induced by 2 to 5 J/cm2 UVA. Two hours after the bath, erythema could be induced using irradiation of 5 J/cm2 only in two volunteers. Three and five hours after the 8-MOP bath, no erythema could be induced in any volunteer by UVA doses up to 5 J/cm2. Our results indicate that optimal bath-PUVA requires UVA irradiation immediately after the 8-MOP bath. Further, these results imply that no restrictions on further sun exposure are mandatory 3 h after the 8-MOP bath, thus allowing the patient to pursue normal life activities.

Erythema↗
PubMed1991

[Atrial natriuretic factor: one of the mechanisms of action of the phlebology bath at Barbotan].

UNLABELLED: The effect of thermal baths on oedema of the lower limbs might be explained by physical mechanisms of hydrostatic pressure resulting from the use of a deep bath and a centripetal underwater jet, by which the veins and lymph ducts are drained every day. The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate the existence of hormonal mechanisms which would account for the diuretic effect of thermal baths. One of the effects observed with hydrotherapy is the physiological diuresis that follows each bath, this diuresis would appear to depend at least in part on the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). The criteria by which assessment can be made essentially biological: ANF level and its biological effects on blood and urine; aldosterone level; plasma renin activity (PRA); creatinine clearance; hematocrit; proteinemia; and blood and urine electrolyte balance. The inclusion criteria are: subjects selected at random and willing cooperate. The criteria for exclusion are disease states which modify ANF kinesis: congestive heart failure, cardiac rhythm disorders, decompensated cirrhosis of liver, obesity, treatment antihypertensive drugs. METHODS: Thirty patients were put through the same experimental sequence, as follows: emptying of the bladder and ingestion of 200 cc of water; seated rest fort 30 mn, after which (to): blood sample; urine sample; ingestion of 200 cc of water; deep bath for 20 mn, i.e. the basic hydro treatment in phlebology at Barbotan. The deep bath is specific to Barbotan and the patient is subjected to maximum immersion in water at a mesothermal temperature of 34.5 degrees C, followed by (t1): blood and urine sample; ingestion of 200 cc of water; supine rest for 90 mn, followed by (t2): blood and urine sample. RESULTS: Data from twenty-eight patients were usable. In this protocol, we use variance analysis with repeated measurements and a 95% confidence limit. The mean value of the principal parameters studies are set out in the following table; these value are accompanied by the degree of significance of the modification at (t1) and (t2). Our experimentation with thirty patients showed that the big thermal bath at Barbotan produces a highly significant increase in ANF secretion, resulting in the diuresis observed after the use of the bath. The antagonist effect of AFN on the renin--angiotensin-aldosterone system was corroborated: we found decreased aldosterone, PRA and creatinine clearance, and increased diuresis and natriuresis. The renal and cardiovascular effects observed after extended immersion in the Barbotan bath (increased diuresis, tachycardia and hypotension, transitory venous vasoplegia and ephemeral vasodilatation of the surface capillaries) are the result of increased ANF secretion. [formula: see text] Supine rest immediately after the bath is essential. This sustains the enhanced ANF and thus reinforces its renal effects, while reducing adverse cardiovascular effects such as the orthostatic hypotension and venous vasoplegia that are normally observed after use of the bath. Moreover, by reducing venular and lymphatic pressure, clinostatism facilitate interstitial to intravascular tissue fluid exchanges and thus helps to drain oedema from the legs. It is striking to note that the hydrotherapy prescribed at Barbotan les Thermes has always included the three most potent factors for ANF release: deep immersion in the big bath, immediate supine rest, and walking. Physiological diuresis has thus been induced empirically as an essential part of the treatment of lower limb phlebopathies.

Aldosterone↗
PubMed1995

Whirlpool baths in nursing homes: use, maintenance, and contamination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Transmission of Pseudomonas aeruginosa wound infection was associated with the use of a whirlpool bath in a nursing home. The nursing home inspection unit asked for guidance on whirlpool baths in nursing homes and advice for proprietors about their use, cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance. Seventeen whirlpool baths in 16 nursing homes in two health districts were examined for the presence of P. aeruginosa. A survey was made of the use made of whirlpool baths, methods used to clean and disinfect them, and the occurrence of P. aeruginosa wound infection in users. P. aeruginosa were found in large numbers in water samples from all whirlpool baths after agitation. Only one of the 253 residents who used whirlpool baths was known to have a P. aeruginosa wound infection. The local nursing home inspection unit was advised that whirlpool baths could continue to be used in nursing homes but only by continent residents with intact skin. The bath should be cleaned and disinfected, preferably with hypochlorite, after each use; the bath should be more thoroughly cleaned and disinfected daily and the bath should be fully serviced at least once a year. Suspected or confirmed cases of P. aeruginosa infection in residents of nursing homes should be reported to the consultant in communicable disease control. The prevalence of known infection with P. aeruginosa was low in the residents of the nursing homes, but the unguided and unregulated use of whirlpool baths in nursing homes may present an infection hazard to residents who use the bath and to hospitals that admit residents from such nursing homes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed2005

The change of hemodynamics and heart rate variability on bathing by the gap of water temperature.

Bathing in Japanese style may carry negative effects as water pressure on the chest and thermal stimulus on hemodynamics take place. We have explored the influence of bathing in high temperature water on the change of heart rate variability (HRV). Fourteen young healthy male adults, ageing in range from 28 to 42 years old (the average was 35.8 years old) were selected and took a hot water bath (38 and 41 degrees C) for 15 min long. Bathing in 38 degrees C water brought no significant change in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP), and the HR in 41 degrees C increased in early stage. In HRV, high frequency (HF) power did not have significant change with little increase in early stages of bathing in 38 degrees C and decreased continuously in 41 degrees C. Low frequency (LF) power and very low frequency (VLF) power decreased gradually in later stages of bathing, but the degree of decrease was larger in 41 degrees C. In this study, data concerning dizziness after bathing at 41 degrees C was obtained (we named it as a "dizzy case"). HF and LF trends in this case followed the same pattern in comparison with others' average, but the decrease was larger. Additionally, there was no increase in the LF/HF at later stage of bathing. It is thought that this reflects a decreased in autonomic nerve activity. In normal subjects the VLF increased in later stages of 38 and 41 degrees C bathing, but in the dizziness-experiencing subject, the increase was very significant. It is conceivable that this reflected excessive parasympathetic reflex. Except the dizzy case HF decreased continuously in later stage of bathing in both 38 and 41 degrees C, but VLF slightly increased. Recently there was an express opinion that the VLF correlates with the prognosis; therefore the change of VLF in this study is very interesting. Based upon the results of this study we propose that the optimum period of time for bathing in water 41 degrees C in temperature is 5 min or less, and that for water 38 degrees C in temperature is 10 min or less.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Reduced total hardness of fresh water enhances the efficacy of bathing as a treatment for amoebic gill disease in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

The current treatment for amoebic gill disease (AGD)-affected Atlantic salmon involves bathing sea-caged fish in fresh water, often sourced from local dams, for 3-4 h. In both a small-scale laboratory and an on-farm field experiment, the effects of water hardness on the efficacy of freshwater bathing were assessed. Results showed that soft fresh water (19.3-37.4 mg L(-1) CaCO3), whether it be naturally soft city mains water or artificially softened dam water, was more efficacious at alleviating AGD in affected fish than hard fresh water (173-236.3 mg L(-1) CaCO3). Soft freshwater bathing significantly reduced viable gill amoebae numbers (from 73.9 to 40.9% of total count) and significantly alleviated gill pathology, both gross and histological. Following bathing, gross gill pathological scores of soft freshwater bathed fish lagged 2 weeks behind hard freshwater bathed fish. Significant gill lesion fragmentation, and shedding of lesion-associated hyperplastic tissue, was accompanied by a significant reduction in AGD-affected gill filaments in soft freshwater bathed fish. Furthermore, soft freshwater bathing alleviated the blood plasma electrolyte imbalance seen in control (sea water) and hard freshwater bathed fish. This study showed that the use of soft fresh water for bathing AGD-affected Atlantic salmon could be an improvement to the current method of treatment. Not only does it reduce gill amoeba numbers, but also, it is of a therapeutic advantage with the potential to reduce bathing frequency.

Amebiasis↗
PubMed2001

Does bathing newborns remove potentially harmful pathogens from the skin?

BACKGROUND: Newborn infants are routinely bathed after birth partly to reduce the possibility of transmitting potential pathogens to others. The extent to which a mild soap reduces the quantity and type of microbes found on the skin through normal colonization has not been reported. The objective of the study was to compare colonization rates between infants bathed in soap and water and infants bathed in plain water. METHOD: One hundred and forty infants were randomly assigned to one group bathed in a mild pH neutral soap and water or to another group bathed in water alone. Microbiology swabs were taken on three occasions (before the first bath, 1 hour after the bath, and 24 hours after birth) from two sites (anterior fontanelle and umbilical area). RESULTS: No difference occurred between groups on type or quantity of organisms found at each time period. Skin colonization is a function of time, and the quantity of organisms identified increased over time (Friedman A 2 = 111.379, df = 5, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Bathing with mild soap as opposed to bathing in water alone has minimal effect on skin bacterial colonization. Skin colonization increased over time. The findings did not support the efficacy of bathing with soap and water to reduce skin colonization of bacterial pathogens. Although the incidence of potential pathogens colonizing the skin during the first day of life is low and unlikely to pose a risk to healthy newborns, health care professionals may wish to wear gloves until the infant has been bathed.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1994

[Effect of warm bathing on short-term and 24-hour blood pressure in bedridden elderly patients].

The effects of the bathing on short-term and ciracadian blood pressure (BP) in bedridden elderly patients were investigated in 10 bedridden patients (4 male: 6 female) living in a community home. The mean age of the subjects was 78.7 years old and causes of bedridden status were cerebrovascular disease in 9 and spinal damage in one. To study the short-term hemodynamic effect of bathing, BP and pulse rate were measured every 2 minutes from 10 minutes before bathing to 14 minutes after. Blood samples were collected before and after bathing for measurements of plasma catecholamine and plasma renin activity. To study the effect of warm bathing on circadian, BP, ambulatory BP was non-invasively monitored every 15 minutes for 24 hours on days with and without bathing. In the short-term phase, BP temporally elevated when washing the body outside the bathtub accompanied with a decline soaking in warm water (38 degrees C). Plasma catecholamine did not change after warm bathing. In the study of circadian change of BP, systolic BP on days of warm bathing remained at a lower level for 12 hours after bathing compared to days without bathing. In conclusion, hypotensive effects after bathing were prolonged in the bedridden elderly patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Construction of a leftover bath water model for microbial testing.

In this study, in order to construct a model of leftover bath water, we analyzed one hundred samples of used bath water samples which were provided by twenty-eight volunteer families. It appeared that the number of detected bacteria from such bath water was correlated closely with the number of bathers. Moreover, the pH, acidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), ion, protein content of the leftover bath water were measured. The number of bathers had no connection with the pH, acidity, COD, and ion content of the leftover bath water. However, the protein content of the bath water correlated with the number of detected bacteria. Based on these results, the model of leftover bath water was constructed. Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa were incubated with the model bath water as indices of bath water contamination. The number of incubated viable cells in the model bath water increased with increasing concentrations of casamino acid. Consequently, it was suggested that varying the concentration of casamino acid based on family size or contamination would be necessary in the efficient use of the constructed model of leftover bath water for microbial testing.

Baths↗
PubMed2005

Sitz bath: where is the evidence? Scientific basis of a common practice.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine if evidence exists to justify and support the recommendation of sitz bath in the management of anorectal disorders. METHODS: A Medline search was conducted using the key words "sitz bath" and "hot bath." RESULTS: Thirty-six articles were found which highlighted the physiology, benefits, risks, complications, and techniques of sitz bath. Most of the studies were published in gynecologic or nursing journals. One randomized study comparing sitz bath to placebo was found. Two articles speculated that sitz bath induces relaxation of the internal sphincter muscle. Cold sitz bath was reported to decrease perineal edema more than warm sitz bath, although patients tended to prefer the latter. Five articles reported complications of sitz bath, including dissemination of herpes, maternal-neonatal Streptococcus outbreak, and skin burns. CONCLUSION: A review of the literature demonstrated a lack of scientific data to support the use of sitz bath in the treatment of anorectal disorders. Additional randomized and controlled clinical studies are needed to investigate whether this time consuming recommendation is beneficial to patients.

Anus Diseases↗
PubMed1999

Characteristics of bath-related burns in Japan.

A retrospective study of bath-related burn injuries was carried out at our institution. A total of 216 patients with burns were admitted between 1982 and 1996. Bath-related burns were identified in 58 patients (26.9%). The number of patients with bath-related burns increased throughout the study period. The percentage body surface area burned was 43.8 +/- 25.7% in the bath-related burn group and 27.3 +/- 28.3% in the bath-unrelated burn group. This difference was significant. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to mortality rate. The mechanism by which the patients sustained a bath-related burn clearly differed according to age. The percentage of burns which are bath-related and the severity of bath-related burns are higher in Japan than in any other country. This can be attributed to lifestyle, bathing systems, bathroom architecture, housing conditions and an increase in the elderly population. These burns can be prevented. Education based on this study will play a critical role in the prevention of the bath-related burn injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of timing of initial bath on newborn's temperature.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the early timing of an initial bath on newborn temperature. DESIGN: Random assignment to group, comparative study. SETTING: Newborn nursery of a 20-bed obstetric unit in a regional hospital in the Midwest. PATIENTS: 80 healthy, full-term newborns. INTERVENTIONS: 40 neonates were bathed at 1 hour of age and 40 were bathed at 2 hours of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Axillary temperatures were measured before the admission bath and at 10, 20, and 60 minutes after the bath with disposable thermometers; the maximum drop in temperature also was determined. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted in axillary temperatures between the two groups before the bath or at 10, 20, or 60 minutes after the bath. The groups did not differ significantly by gender, birth weight, length of bath in minutes, room temperature during bath, Apgar score at 5 minutes, or gestational age. CONCLUSION: Healthy full-term newborns with an axillary temperature > or = 36.8 degrees C (98.2 degrees F) can be bathed after 1 hour of age when appropriate care is taken to support thermal stability.

Baths↗