How Can Hospitals Choose Bathing Equipment That Reduces Carer Strain?
Bathing and personal hygiene are essential parts of hospital care, but they can also place significant physical demands on nurses and healthcare assistants. Moving patients, supporting transfers, reaching across baths and working in awkward positions can all contribute to musculoskeletal strain.
Choosing the right bathing equipment can help reduce these risks while supporting patient safety, dignity and comfort.
For UK hospitals, the challenge is not simply finding a suitable bath or shower. It is ensuring that the entire bathing process works safely for patients and the staff supporting them.
So, what should hospitals consider when choosing bathing and hygiene equipment?
1. Start with the patient and the task
Before purchasing new equipment, hospitals should assess the complete bathing process, from transferring a patient out of bed to returning them safely afterwards.
This includes considering:
- How the patient moves between their bed, bathroom and shower or bath.
- Whether they can stand, bear weight or participate in transfers.
- Their mobility, weight, skin integrity and falls risk.
- Any clinical equipment, such as catheters, oxygen or drains.
- The number of staff normally required to complete the task.
- The available space and any infection-control requirements.
A task-specific manual-handling assessment helps identify where staff are exposed to unnecessary lifting, bending, twisting or pushing.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends assessing moving and handling activities and selecting suitable equipment to help manage identified risks.
Read the HSE’s guidance on moving and handling in health and social care.
The aim is to choose equipment that supports the patient’s assessed needs while reducing the physical demands placed on staff.
2. Choose equipment that matches patient mobility
Not every patient requires the same level of support. The right equipment should reflect their mobility, clinical needs and ability to participate in personal care.
Depending on the assessment, hospitals may consider:
- Patients who can move independently: Accessible showers, appropriately positioned grab rails and stable shower seats.
- Patients who can stand with support: Suitable standing or transfer aids, shower chairs and grab rails.
- Patients who cannot stand safely: Ceiling or mobile hoists with compatible slings, shower chairs or shower trolleys.
- Patients who are fully dependent or clinically unstable: Height-adjustable shower trolleys, bathing stretchers or bed-based hygiene systems, where appropriate.
- Bariatric patients: Equipment with a suitable safe working load, appropriate accessories and sufficient space for safe manoeuvring.
For patients who need help getting into or out of a bath, an appropriate bath hoist or lifting system may reduce the need for physically demanding transfers.
It is important to consider the complete solution, including slings, accessories and staff training, rather than selecting a piece of equipment in isolation.
Explore HSE guidance on moving and handling equipment.
3. Look for ergonomic design
Equipment should make it easier for staff to carry out personal care without putting unnecessary strain on their bodies.
One of the most important considerations is working height. When baths, beds and shower trolleys are too low, staff may spend prolonged periods bending forwards or reaching across patients.
Height-adjustable equipment can help staff work at a more suitable level, reducing prolonged stooping and awkward postures.
When assessing equipment, consider whether it allows staff to:
- Maintain a more comfortable working posture.
- Avoid unnecessary lifting and carrying.
- Move equipment without excessive pushing or pulling.
- Access the patient safely during washing and transfers.
- Apply and remove slings without unnecessary reaching.
- Operate controls easily while the patient is safely supported.
Small improvements in equipment design can make a meaningful difference to the physical demands of everyday care.
However, ergonomic equipment should always be used alongside appropriate risk assessments, safe working procedures and staff training.
4. Consider the bathroom layout as well as the equipment
Even well-designed equipment can be difficult to use if the surrounding space is unsuitable.
A bath hoist, shower trolley or mobile lifting aid needs sufficient room to manoeuvre. If staff have to twist, work around obstacles or push equipment through narrow spaces, the risk of strain may remain.
Before purchasing equipment, hospitals should assess the actual environment where it will be used.
Important considerations include:
- Space around baths, showers, toilets and beds.
- Door widths, thresholds and turning space.
- Access for ceiling hoists or mobile lifting equipment.
- Room for staff to position themselves safely.
- Grab rail and control positions.
- Flooring, drainage and slip resistance.
- Storage and charging arrangements.
- Compatibility with other clinical equipment.
Where possible, staff should trial the equipment in the intended bathroom before a final purchasing decision is made.
This helps identify practical problems that may not be obvious from a product specification alone.
5. Make cleaning and infection prevention a priority
Bathing equipment is used in environments where effective cleaning and infection prevention are essential.
Equipment should be practical to clean between patients without creating unnecessary additional work for staff.
When comparing options, consider:
- Smooth, accessible surfaces that are easy to wipe down.
- Minimal crevices where dirt or moisture could collect.
- Removable and washable cushions or straps, where applicable.
- Compatibility with the hospital’s approved cleaning products.
- Clear manufacturer instructions for cleaning and disinfection.
- Effective drainage and drying.
- Materials that can withstand regular cleaning and use.
It is also important to establish who is responsible for cleaning, checking and reporting faults with the equipment.
An option that reduces physical strain but is difficult to clean or maintain may create other operational challenges. The best solution should support both safe patient care and an efficient daily workflow.
6. Think beyond the initial purchase price
When choosing bathing equipment, the cheapest option is not necessarily the most cost-effective over its lifetime.
Hospitals should consider the ongoing costs and practical implications of using, maintaining and replacing equipment.
These may include:
- Planned servicing and maintenance.
- LOLER examinations where applicable.
- Replacement slings, batteries and accessories.
- Staff training and refresher sessions.
- Equipment downtime and repair response times.
- Availability of replacement parts.
- Compatibility with existing equipment.
- Cleaning requirements and time spent on each bathing episode.
Reliable equipment and responsive technical support can help hospitals manage their assets and reduce disruption when faults occur.
It is also worth considering whether the supplier can support the equipment throughout its working life, rather than simply delivering it and leaving the hospital to manage everything afterwards.
7. Involve staff in equipment demonstrations and trials
Nurses, healthcare assistants and manual-handling advisers understand the practical challenges of delivering personal care. Their experience should be part of the purchasing process.
Where appropriate, involve occupational therapists, physiotherapists, clinical engineering, estates and infection-prevention teams when evaluating potential solutions.
During a demonstration or trial, assess:
- How easy the equipment is to position and operate.
- Whether it reduces awkward movements and unnecessary physical effort.
- How many staff are needed to complete the task safely.
- How comfortable and supported the patient feels.
- How easy the equipment is to clean.
- Whether it fits within the available space.
- What training is required.
- How straightforward it is to maintain.
Hospitals can also compare the process before and after introducing new equipment. This can help identify improvements in staff experience, patient comfort and workflow.
A successful trial should demonstrate that the equipment is suitable for the people using it and the environment in which it will operate.
8. Plan for training, servicing and maintenance
Even the right equipment may not deliver its intended benefits if staff do not know how to use it correctly or if it is unavailable when needed.
Hospitals should establish clear arrangements for initial training, competency assessment and refresher training. This should include relevant bank and agency staff.
Maintenance arrangements are equally important.
Depending on the equipment, these may include planned preventive maintenance, inspections, LOLER examinations where applicable, battery checks and a clear process for reporting faults.
Hospitals should also ensure staff understand which accessories are compatible with each lifting system and how to check equipment before use.
Working with a supplier that offers ongoing technical support can help healthcare teams manage their equipment more effectively and keep essential bathing and hygiene systems available for use.
Choosing the right bathing equipment for your hospital
Reducing carer strain requires more than purchasing a new bath or shower trolley. It means understanding the demands of the task, assessing patient needs and selecting equipment that works within the hospital’s environment.
By prioritising ergonomic design, safe transfers, effective cleaning, staff training and ongoing maintenance, hospitals can make more informed decisions about their bathing and hygiene equipment.
The right solution should support patients to participate in personal care wherever possible, maintain their dignity and help staff deliver care without unnecessary physical strain.
Looking for bathing and moving and handling equipment?
At Medaco, we help healthcare providers find suitable moving and handling solutions for people in care, including bathing equipment, hoists and ongoing servicing and maintenance.
Whether you are reviewing existing equipment, planning a bathroom refurbishment or looking at options for a new clinical area, choosing the right solution starts with understanding your requirements.
Speak to Medaco about your bathing and moving and handling equipment requirements.
