Written by Hulet Smith, OT
Taking a shower is wonderful for a quick, hygienic clean-up, but nothing beats the therapeutic benefits of submerging in a warm, soothing bath. The pleasurable effects on our senses from soaking in water result in improved health and well-being, with a number of scientifically proven advantages, such as reducing inflammation, pain, and stress.
The restorative bathing systems from Arjo deliver a wide array of health benefits for patients and residents staying in acute and long-term care facilities, while they can also be used in private residences. Uniquely designed in a variety of formats, these bathing systems are created with both the patient and caregiver in mind, and highlight a host of innovative features to make bathing more comfortable, accessible, and secure.
As a cutting-edge supplier of medical equipment and solutions designed to advance the quality of life for anyone challenged with reduced mobility and age-related health issues, Arjo has been one of the major innovators in patient care for over 60 years. With private and public institutions within acute and long-term care as their main customers, Arjo is well-known for collaborating with clinicians, therapists, and medical professionals in order to create some of the most sought after medical equipment on the market. Every single design feature is there because it’s required to fulfill a specific need in real-world care for patients.
As a result of their extensive research and collaboration with healthcare professionals across the acute and long-term care fields, Arjo has created bathing systems that are unlike any other in the industry. They meet the various needs of multiple patients and residents who are unable to take a bath without assistance, enabling them to reap the physical, mental, and emotional health benefits of hydrotherapy. They’re also formulated to make the bathing process much easier, safer, and more efficient for the caregiver.
Taking a bath can often be problematic and dangerous for people living with mobility impairments, especially in home environments. Even in professional care environments, the right equipment and training can make all the difference in achieving comfortable, accident-free bathing outcomes.
Physical disabilities, instability from balance impairments, and a lack of strength often make it difficult or impossible for some folks to bathe themselves. Cognitive impairments and low vision additionally affect bathing safety. The inability to step over the rim-wall of a tub, or sit down, and especially get back up, also stop people from safely engaging with hydrotherapy. Falling accidents and injuries incurred while bathing are far too common.
Untrained home and family caregivers, and under-trained professional medical staff are also prone to injuries when assisting their patients with bathing. Overexertion and lifting injuries happen much more frequently without the use of assistive and adaptive equipment, such as patient lifts and specially configured bathing systems.
Case studies show remarkable improvements in keeping patients and staff from injury when Arjo’s bathing systems were installed, along with implementing proper caregiver training in how to correctly use this medical equipment. Mercy Health saw an injury decrease of 97 percent over three years in acute care, and a 91 percent decrease of injuries in long-term care, with a 99 percent reduction in overall costs, such as those connected with worker’s compensation, employee restrictions, and employee turnover. UnityPoint reduced their work-related injuries by 97.06 percent, and their worker’s compensation by 99.7 percent.
Considered the gold standard in medical bathing system design, Arjo’s unique baths are an exceptional solution for patient safety and comfort, while also ensuring ease of use and for the caregiver.
Arjo’s bathing systems are specially designed to enable easier access for both the patient and caregiver. Several models offer lift-accessible formats, enabling the use of a patient lift, like their Alenti or Calypso, to maneuver the patient into and out of the tub. Other designs provide built-in height adjustability, allowing easier, ergonomic access for the caregiver, while it also lowers again for safer patient transfers.
Configurations can be adapted for all levels of care needs, from patients who are somewhat mobile and weight-bearing to patients who cannot stand or mobilize at all. Several of Arjo’s bathing systems also offer different points of entry, as well.
The shapes of Arjo's bathing systems are specially designed to take up minimal space while also maximizing the room around the tub for better caregiver access. Several designs offer a range of sizes to better suit each facility’s specific requirements for both private and central bathing areas.
Arjo’s bathing systems are easy to operate, with simplified controls to adjust the experience as needed for each patient. The monitor is easily viewable for the caregiver to keep track of important information, such as water temperature, and also improves the caregiver's ability to supervise the patient.
These bathing systems provide automatic disinfection and sanitation, saving time between patients, improving efficiency, and reducing the risk of spreading infection. This can be a huge boon for larger facilities who need to bathe many patients throughout the day. It helps save time and money, by allowing staff to attend to patients rather than cleaning.
Arjo’s proprietary AutoFill technology ensures the right level of water is provided every time. Caregivers can set the level and let it fill without watching it, leaving them free to do other tasks, another efficiency booster for a facility’s bottom line.
Arjo makes sure to integrate an exact temperature control in all of their bathing systems, which allow the caregiver to perfectly control the water temperature and protect patients from scalding, never allowing the water to get too hot.
All of the bathing systems from Arjo provide some combination of water jets, air jets, and ultrasound. Their AirSpa feature provides a relaxing massage with 9 jets of air. Their HydroMassage is comprised of water jets, providing a wonderful, pain-relieving massage that encourages circulation and healing. The HydroSound feature uses ultrasound to generate movement and vibrations in the water which is not only relaxing, but also helps to gently relieve pain and inflammation.
The various bathing systems from Arjo offer a variety of unique features or add-on options to further customize the tubs to your specifications. These options include floor drain kits and other installation options, grip handles inside the tubs for easier positioning, adjustable foot supports, back and head cushions, seatbelts, and a Multisensory Experience upgrade with lights and music.
The Century Fiberglass Bathing System is designed to be compatible with patient lifts, and features a durable fiberglass construction for support and longevity. This keyhole-shaped bath has extra room around the torso for patient comfort and low tub sides for easier caregiver access. It also includes a built-in disinfection system with shower handle for easy sanitation.
Available in regular or lift-accessible models, the Freedom Bath highlights a wide, powered door that retracts into the bottom of the tub for easier entry and exit accessibility. This bathing system can be used for both assisted and non-assisted bathing in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and at home.
As one of the most accessible bath designs ever created, this model truly gives the user a sense of freedom and independence with its semi-reclined seat and comfort grip handle to help with positioning. It can reduce the need for caregiving assistance in facilities, and the lift function is compatible with patient lifts for maximum safety.
Hydraulic height-adjustability improves ergonomics and patient access for caregivers with the Primo system, which also includes many of Arjo’s popular features, such as AutoFill, anti-scald temperature control, and integrated dispensers for hygiene products. Automatic sanitizing and disinfection minimizes downtime between patients, increasing efficiency.
Suitable for care facilities and hospitals, the versatile Primo offers options of HydroSound or HydroMassage for gentle cleaning combined with stress and pain reduction. A built-in shower handle is easy for caregivers to operate with precise control for rinsing requirements. The Primo bathing system comes in a rectangular configuration that’s available in three different lengths for space-saving customization.
If you’re looking for an Arjo bathing system that delivers every possible feature, look no further than the amazing Parker system. This highly efficient assistive bathing solution provides both height and tilt capabilities that are adjustable, facilitating convenient caregiver access and ultra-smooth transfers.
Ticking all the boxes in practical considerations of staff resources, efficiency, and comfortable, effective bathing, every aspect of this bathing system is designed to save time. It offers complete bathing therapy for the patient, while it makes the whole process simpler and safer for both the patient and the caregiver. The Parker is compatible with a number of active and passive lifts, and the optional Multisensory Experience upgrade utilizes visual and auditory stimulation with pleasing music and lights to provide a complete spa-like therapy for patients.
The chemical resistant stainless steel construction of the Primo Ferro bathing system is highly durable, and particularly suitable for care facilities that help patients with burn injuries or chronic skin conditions. Able to accommodate patients or residents at all levels of mobility impairment, this bathing system adjusts in height for comfortable and ergonomic caregiver assistance.
Arjo’s automatic disinfection is included, adding to the safety of burn patients. Other Arjo features can be added, such as the HydroMassage and HydroSound, which will help gently clean the patient and relieve pain and inflammation. The Primo Ferro is also compatible with patient lifts for maximum ease of use.
As the standard that other companies aspire to, Arjo’s bathing systems deliver unparalleled performance, function, and comfort. Developed with both the patient and the caregiver in mind, these innovative medical baths offer a vast array of helpful features to provide the best therapeutic benefits for their users.
Arjo utilizes collaboration with experts in the field and real caregivers to ensure that the products they put out are highly effective and solve real problems in the industry.
If you're interested in more helpful articles like this one, be sure to check out the rest of our excellent content at Caregiver University.
To shop more exceptional products, you can check out all of our bathing systems, our full selection of items by Arjo, or you can browse our entire catalog at Rehabmart.com.
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
