Maternity & neonatology
TurtleTub disposable liner
TurtleTub disposable liners for multi-patient use of the TurtleTub.
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Why use disposable liners?Features and benefits
The TurtleTub bathing system can be used in three ways.
- The TurtleTub functions as a single-patient-use tub. It is used multiple times on the same infant and then gifted to the family after discharge. This approach is the most family-centered and has potential to impact patient satisfaction.
- The TurtleTub functions as a multi-use tub in which it is reused on multiple patients with a clean, disposable plastic liner for each infant.
- A combination approach suggests that the hospital uses the TurtleTub on multiple patients with the liner, but single-use tubs are stocked to gift to families who would most benefit from having the tub at home.
Disposable liner
This video shows how the TurtleTub system works with disposable liners.
The TurtleTub is designed as a single-patient use product unless it is used with the proprietary liners. For infection control purposes, a tub should not be used on more than one patient, unless our single-use liners are used. Ideally a new TurtleTub is provided to each patient and the family can take the tub home at discharge.
Why use disposable liners?
The preferred (NICU or SCN) option which is the most Family-Centered Care option, is for hospitals to offer patients their own TurtleTub. The family would take it home and continue to swaddle bathe at home. For some hospitals, this option is cost prohibitive so they requested disposable liners as a safe alternative. In addition, most well-baby units prefer the liner for ease of use, safety and low cost.
The justification for disposable liners is as follows:
- Published studies show that bath basins in the hospital (even after cleaning) are frequently contaminated with pathogens.1,2
- After multiple-uses of the TurtleTub, the inside surface can get scratched, creating areas that are more difficult to clean and more at risk for contamination.
- Our labeling and Instructions state that the TurtleTub can be used as a single-patient-use product or as a multi-patient-use product with our proprietary disposable liners. Since research does not support multi-patient-use (without liners), we do not recommend this practice. Our warranty is valid for on-label use only.
- Neonatal patients are susceptible to MRSA and other Hospital Acquired Infections, so why take any additional risk when bathing?
- Multi-patient-use of the TurtleTub without liners may compromise the temperature indicator prior to the warranty period.
- Would you want your baby bathed in a multi-use hospital bathtub? If given the option of using a clean liner for each bath, doesn’t that make sense?
- Lastly, what do you think the family would answer to question #6 above?
Why take the risk?
Liners make good sense and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
2 Johnson D, Lineweaver L, Maze L. Patients’ bath basins as potential sources of infection: A multicenter sampling study. American Journal of Critical Care. Jan 2009; 18(1): 31-40.
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