- Owner
- Director of Nursing
- Effective date
- September 15, 2026
- Review cycle
- Every 12 months
1.Purpose
To help residents with daily bathing, grooming and dressing safely and respectfully, following their individual care plan and personal preferences.
2.Scope
Applies to routine personal care assistance for residents who need help with bathing, grooming or dressing. Skin wound care and treatment procedures are covered by a separate SOP.
Definitions
- Care plan preferences
- A resident's documented preferences for personal care, such as preferred bathing time, level of assistance and modesty needs.
- Level of assistance
- How much help a resident needs with a task, ranging from standby supervision to full physical assistance, as documented in the care plan.
- Skin check
- A visual check of the resident's skin during care for redness, bruising, breakdown or other changes.
3.Responsibilities
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Provides bathing, grooming and dressing assistance following the care plan and reports skin or condition changes.
- Licensed Nurse (LPN/RN)
- Reviews skin check findings, updates the care plan and follows up on any concern reported.
- Resident
- Communicates preferences and any pain or discomfort during care.
RACI matrix
| Activity | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | Licensed Nurse (LPN/RN) | Resident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review the care plan before providing care | R/A | C | I |
| Assist with bathing, grooming and dressing | R/A | I | C |
| Perform and report the skin check | R | A | I |
| Update the care plan based on observations | C | R/A | I |
R = Responsible, A = Accountable, C = Consulted, I = Informed
4.Materials and PPE
Materials, tools and systems
- →Resident care plan with personal care preferences
- →Bathing and grooming supplies (soap, shampoo, towels)
- →Skin check and observation log
- →Resident's own clothing and personal items
- →Non-slip bath mat and grab bars
Personal protective equipment
- →Disposable gloves
- →Apron for bathing assistance
5.Procedure
- 5.1
Review the care plan before starting
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Check the resident's care plan for their level of assistance needed, preferred routine and any precautions before beginning personal care.
- 5.2
Knock and explain what you're about to do
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Knock and announce yourself before entering, and explain each step of the care you're about to provide before you begin.
- 5.3
Protect privacy and dignity
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Close the door or curtain, and keep the resident covered with a towel or blanket except for the area being washed or dressed.
Checkpoint: Privacy is maintained throughout the entire care task, not just at the start.
- 5.4
Prepare the bathing area safely
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Check water temperature before use, place a non-slip mat in the tub or shower, and make sure grab bars are accessible.
Warning: Test water temperature before the resident enters. Water that's too hot can burn fragile skin.
- 5.5
Assist with bathing according to the care plan
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Provide the level of assistance documented in the care plan, letting the resident do as much as they safely can themselves.
- 5.6
Perform a skin check during care
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Visually check the resident's skin for redness, bruising, breakdown or other changes while providing care, paying particular attention to pressure points.
Checkpoint: A skin check is performed during every bathing assistance and any new finding is reported before the end of the shift.
- 5.7
Assist with grooming
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Assist with hair care, oral care, shaving and nail care according to the resident's preferences and care plan.
- 5.8
Assist with dressing
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Help the resident choose and put on their own clothing, respecting their preferences, and check that clothing fits properly and is weather-appropriate.
- 5.9
Watch for pain or discomfort
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Watch the resident's face and body language for signs of pain or discomfort during care, and pause or adjust the approach if needed.
Warning: Stop and reassess if the resident shows signs of pain during a transfer or repositioning.
- 5.10
Report skin or condition changes
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Report any new redness, bruising, skin breakdown or change in condition to the licensed nurse before the end of the shift.
- 5.11
Follow up on reported findings
Licensed Nurse (LPN/RN)Assess any reported skin or condition change, document it, and update the care plan or notify the physician if warranted.
- 5.12
Document the care provided
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Document the personal care provided and the resident's response in the daily care record.
6.Quality checks
- →Personal care is provided according to each resident's documented level of assistance.
- →A skin check is performed and documented during every bathing assistance.
- →Privacy and dignity are maintained throughout care, confirmed during observation audits.
- →Reported skin or condition changes are followed up by a licensed nurse within the shift.
7.Records
- →Daily personal care documentation
- →Skin check and observation log
- →Care plan updates
- →Skin or condition change follow-up notes
8.KPIs
- →Skin check documentation completion rate
- →Percentage of care plans followed as documented during audits
- →Time from a reported skin change to nurse follow-up
- →Resident and family satisfaction with personal care
9.Common mistakes
- →Skipping the skin check because the resident seems to be doing fine.
- →Providing more physical assistance than the care plan calls for instead of encouraging independence.
- →Leaving a resident uncovered longer than necessary during care.
- →Not reporting a small skin change because it seems minor.
10.Revision history
| Revision | Date | Description | Reviewed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | September 15, 2026 | Initial release | Alexa Uskova |
This is a template. Adapt it to your organization, equipment and local regulations before use.
