Perineal care involves washing the genital and rectal areas of the body. It should be done at least once a day during bed bath, shower, or tub bath. It is done more often when a patient is incontinent. This prevents infection, odors and irritation.What is perineal care in nursing? Peri-care—also known as perineal care—involves cleaning the private areas of a patient. Because this area is prone to infection, it must be cleaned at least daily, and more if your loved one suffers from incontinence

2. • Postpartal women are particularly prone to a uterine
infection because of lochia, if allowed to dry and
harden on the vulva and perineum, furnishes a rich bed
for bacterial growth, which then can spread to the
uterus.
• Since the vagina lies in close proximity to the rectum,
there is also always the danger bacteria will spread
from the rectum to the vagina.
• Interruption in skin integrity from an episiotomy also
increases a woman’s risk for infection.

3. NOTE:
To reduce these risks, teach a woman
to include perineal care as part of her
daily bath or shower and after every
voiding or bowel movement.

4. • Cleansing of the external genitalia, perineum, & surrounding area.
• Perineal care is also referred to as “peri-care” or “perineal-genital”
care.
• Involves washing the external genitalia with soap and water or with
water alone or in combination with any commercially prepared
periwash.
The purpose of perineal care are to prevent or eliminate infection &
odor, promote healing, remove secretions, & provide comfort.
Perineal care can be provided alone or as part of the bed bath.
What is Perineal Care?

5. -Perineal care may be an embarassing procedure for both the
client & the nurse, especially if the client is of the opposite sex.
-Clients who are embarrassed may elect to perform their own
perineal care.
In Postpartum situation, the nurse should provide the client
with warm water, moistened washcloth, soap, a dry towel, &
privacy.
-If the client is unable to perform perineal care, the nurse is
responsible for providing this care in a professional & private
manner.

6. Equipment for Perineal Care
Waterproof pads
Toilet tissue
Lotion or ointment (If prescribed)
Disposable gloves
Bath basin
Soap
2 or 3 washcloths
Dry bath towels
Bath blanket

7. * Explain procedure & purpose to client. Obtain
permission. Close door & pull curtain around bed.
* Wash hands & apply gloves.
* Place a plastic-covered pad under the woman’s
buttocks to protect the bed from lochia or water.
* With the woman lying supine, remove her perineal pad
from front to back (the direction is important to prevent
the portion of the pad that was over her rectal area from
sliding forward to contaminate the vaginal opening).

8. * If actual washing is to be done, use a clean gauze square
or a clean portion of a washcloth with the designated
solution for each stroke, always washing from front to
back or from the pubis toward the rectum.
* Rinse the area in the same manner and pat it dry.
https://youtu.be/yNAPdZ-SiOU

9. 1. Direct the spray toward the front of the perineum and
allow it to flow from front to back, from the vaginal to the
rectal area to reduce cross-bacterial transmission into the
vagina. The labia have a tendency to close and cover the
vaginal opening. Do not separate the labia; instead, allow
them to perform this protective function.
2. Spray gently to avoid splashing any blood-tinged
solution on yourself.
A second common method of cleaning is to spray the perineum with clear tap
water from a spray bottle. When doing this,