SCA, a leading global hygiene company and the maker of Tena incontinence products, announced the launch of the new Tena Bathing Glove, the first pre-moistened, disposable bath glove available in the U.S. to home caregivers and professionals in long term care and skilled nursing facilities. A convenient, caring and hygienic alternative to soap and water, the Tena Bathing Glove is designed to be a supplement to regular bathing to improve quality of care for those who are bedridden or have limited mobility, and who may be incontinent.

“As the first of its kind in the U.S., the Tena Bathing Glove brings SCA’s professional care product line to a new level,” says Michael Feenan, vice president for SCA’s Incontinence Care business in North America. “At SCA, our approach to innovation in continence care is focused on understanding the customer and providing quality resident care and improved solutions for caregivers and healthcare professionals. We created the Tena Bathing Glove to be an alternative to traditional bedside basin baths or wipes, which present infection risks due to cross-contamination, are time consuming and labor intensive, and can be irritating to the skin.”

The Tena Bathing Glove was first launched in Europe and was recently tested in two facilities in Canada and the U.S., among long-term and acute care nursing staff. Both residents and caregivers noted the high quality of the product and commented that it was a calming and indulgent bathing experience, offering a caring approach to resident hygiene.   

“The Tena Bathing Glove is gentle on fragile and elderly skin, minimizes the risk of cross-contamination, and is more convenient for caregivers in professional facilities or at home,” says Mary Matz, president of Patient Care Ergonomic Solutions, LLC, an internationally recognized expert in Healthcare Ergonomics. Matz has worked closely on a variety of projects with the research team who tested the Tena Bathing Glove in Europe. “For caregivers, the glove also offers unique ergonomic advantages by simplifying supplemental baths and decreasing discomfort as they perform this physically demanding, stressful care task,” she said.

The Tena Bathing Glove offers several key advantages over traditional basin baths or disposable wipes, including:

• Maintains skin health: Reusable washcloths can be rough and irritating, particularly on fragile or aging skin. Many soaps are too alkaline for the skin, stripping away natural oils and causing dryness and irritation. The Tena Bathing Glove is infused with a no-rinse, pH neutral cleansing formula with gentle ingredients, making it safe for delicate skin.
• Comfort and durability: The soft, thick, textured material combines the gentleness of a washcloth with the convenience of a disposable glove to provide efficient and hygienic care. The glove can also be warmed for a pleasing bathing experience.
• Reduces cross-contamination: Wash basins can hold germs if not cleaned properly, creating the potential for infections to spread. The Tena Bathing Glove is a one-time use product, which reduces the risk for cross-contamination. It also thoroughly covers the hand, providing greater protection and control for caregivers than wipes or reusable washcloths.
• Less physically demanding: Preparation of basins and clean-up time for multiple residents can be a time-consuming and labor intensive routine. With the Tena Bathing Glove, caregivers can provide individuals with a thorough wash in less time, as there is no need to gather supplies and cleanup is quick and easy.