The Biggest Savings Are in Everyday Tasks

Waterless has recently introduced a highly effective new way to wash immobile patients that can save the NHS millions of pounds by reducing patient washing times by up to 50%!

This revolutionary new product range is amazing nurses up and down the country with these simple, no-nonsense, wet-foam cleansers. They help release the huge time-pressure on understaffed and busy wards, they improve personal hygiene levels and patient well-being and these great new products can also reduce the amount spent on agency staff, energy bills and waste disposal!

Once implemented the average hospital can save typically between £300K-£500k/annum in labour costs, which can then be used in other areas. These improved efficiencies also help toward the Lord Carter Report compliance.

Nilaqua has completed trials in over 13 trusts* and sells to over 50 hospitals*. Nilaqua trial feedback concludes Nilaqua is a positive addition to the wards, the nurses feel they save at least 30% of patient washing times*. However our calculations on time trials are 50%*. Comparatively when looking at true costs Nilaqua Shampoo is cheaper than Shampoo Caps by an average of 54%, cheaper than traditional methods by 43%. The Skin Cleanser is cheaper than alternatives by 38.82%*.

The Lord Carter Efficiency Challenge

Lord Carter explains: “I believe up to £2bn could be delivered by improving workflow and containing workforce costs. Amongst other things, this includes increased productivity through having a stronger management grip on non-productive time (for example annual leave, sickness and training), better management of rosters and improved guidance on appropriate staffing levels and skill range for certain types of wards”.

“Workforce costs is a particular priority; just 1% improvement in workforce productivity could represent as much as £400m in savings”. 45 Billion per annum, equalling 63% of costs, is spent on the workforce.

The NHS employs 1.3 million staff performing over 300 different types of jobs across more than a 1000 different employers. These staff are the primary asset, heart and soul of the NHS. We know that most work extremely hard, often going above and beyond the call of duty, and are truly dedicated to the NHS, to ensure the delivery of high-quality care. However, the pay bill for the NHS in 2013/14 was £45.3bn – the largest area of spend, so the sheer size of this necessitates scrutiny. Our early findings with the 22 hospitals have established significant differences between them in terms of the management of productive time, workforce rostering, effective utilisation of clinical time and management costs.

1% improvement in workforce productivity could represent around £400m in savings,

• Nursing & Care staff £18.8bn
• Nurse bank at £2.5bn
• Agency nursing at £720m

Secretary of State has already announced measures for addressing agency contract spend, including placing a cap on agency rates.

Nilaqua speeds up the daily chore of patient washing and in turn increases staff efficiency 10 fold*…

1a) Bed Bath Method:

A Nurse (RGN) or Healthcare Assistant (HCA) requires a towel, 2 bowls of warm water per person, per washing session, a handful of dry wipes and an individual small bar of soap per wash (infection control). The carer must wipe /wash with soap, rinse and dry the patient. NB. In a severe case of incontinence – urine, faecal, diarrhoea, vomit etc, you will need to repeat the above, several times per shift and use 1/2 a packet of the dry wipes each time.

1b) Bed Bath- Hair Washing Method:

To wash hair the nurse/carer will take a separate bed tray and a jug along with shampoo, plus bucket to the bedside; move the bed out and set out equipment attaching tray. Wet the hair, shampoo and rinse (rinsing may take 2 jugs of water to rinse depending on hair thickness and length, plus bucket change), then dispose of the dirty water / equipment and put everything away. 90% of the time you will also have to change the sheets afterwards due to spills.

Nilaqua Comparison

1a) Bed Bath Method Using Nilaqua:

To bed bath a patient with Nilaqua, the carer will take a towel, a bottle of Nilaqua Body Wash and wash using Nilaqua and simply towel dry. (no bowls of water, pre-wetting or rinsing required).

1b) Bed Bath- Hair Washing Using Nilaqua:

To wash hair the nurse will take a bottle of Nilaqua shampoo to the bedside; apply the shampoo, massage and towel dry.

So what is Nilaqua?

Nilaqua is a unique range of Towel Off® shampoos and body washes, that do not require additional water or rinsing. These products are water based and will remove dirt, sweat, odours and even iodine and mud, yet remain kind and gentle to skin & hair. Just apply the solution directly to the skin or hair, massage to lift dirt and grease, then, whilst wet and soapy, simply remove by thoroughly towel drying.
Please see how to use video: www.waterlessltd.co.uk/nilaqua

Key areas of savings and improvements:

Any bedbound patient – i.e. Spinal Injuries, Palliative Care, Neurology, CCU, ICU, Vascular Surgery, Care of the Elderly etc and there’s also a strong following in dementia as a non-invasive way of washing.

Nilaqua is available through Supply Chain and Pentland Medical.

Imagine what you could do with an extra 5 hours a day!

Testimonials:

The waterless shampoo is being used for those patients who cannot take a bath or shower or would find it too distressing to do so. The feedback from the areas that use it is really positive. The staff love using it and the patients appreciate it. All in all it improves the patient experience which was the major driving force in introducing its use. I would certainly recommend it.
Caroline Vergo – Lead IPC; Ipswich

I just wanted to update you about our trial of your products on the Coronary Care Unit at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. The outcome is very positive after speaking to staff and patients. Our facilities on CCU for washing patients hair is limited as there are only sinks and these are in the general use areas and the showers are on the next ward. Logistics is one issue but the other is patient safety. Our patients are cardiac monitored and this can limit the use of a shower, if they are able. We found the use of the shampoo suited the needs of our patients and was time efficient. I am really interested in the purchase of your product. I hope you don’t mind but I did share the samples to the band 7 on Pulteney ward.
Collette Gregorious,Senior Sister CCU, Royal United Hospitals

I find Nilaqua Shampoo really easy to use & effective, I washed a patient this morning and they commented that they felt better for it. We really like the smell and it saves so much time. Especially with patients who are less mobile and cannot bend their necks.
Tina at the Royal Shrewsbury, Orthopaedic

References

* Supporting documentation for these figures is available on request from Pentland Medical