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Home > FAQs + Resources > Air Spa vs. Whirlpool
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Air Spa vs. Whirlpool |
Air Spas and Whirlpools: A Comparison
Brief History of Nursing Home Bathing
For many years, the primary means by which nursing home residents were bathed included showering and bathing in a tub that was not designed for geriatric use. The tubs were porcelain or cast iron and required residents to step into them, much like at home. Lift systems were devised so staff could transfer non-ambulatory resident into the system with decreased chances of injury.;
Since geriatric residents pose unique hygiene challenges, the next generation of tubs included dedicated lifting systems and whirlpool jets. Primitive by today’s standards, these whirlpools were not equipped with automatic systems to clean and disinfect the lines. Cleaning and disinfecting of the lines had to be done manually with no way to verify that the job had been done completely. There were occasional findings of cross-contamination in the lines of these earlier whirlpools. The extent to which the lines were actually cleaned became more a function of the fastidiousness of the staff member rather than the quality of the whirlpool system. Years later, technology advanced to the point where whirlpools became equipped with automatic disinfection systems in order to properly clean the lines.
Rise of Air Spa Popularity
Air spas systems gained popularity due partly to the cross-contamination issues in older whirlpool systems, and to the negative publicity home spas and public hot tubs received with regard to the potential for growth of bacteria and other pathogens. The primary selling point was that the air lines stay dry and bacteria free because they did not circulate water like whirlpools. Unfortunately, it was found that the “waterproof” air lines actually did let contaminated water seep into the lines where bacteria could grow so later generations of air spas included disinfectant systems that allowed the lines to be cleaned and disinfected. More recently, a new generation of air spas has emerged touting waterproof air lines.
Comparison of Whirlpools and Air Spas
Today, some companies offer only air spas, some offer whirlpools and some offer a combination of the two. The following is a comparison of each system and analysis of the benefits of each.
Principles of whirlpool
Whirlpool action is generated by a motor that circulates water from the tub into a water inlet. The water is then infused with air and dispensed through lines and out the whirlpool jets.
Whirlpools provide significant water movement beneath the surface of the water. Millions of microscopic bubbles are generated (cavitation) and move through the water and assist in the cleaning of hard to reach areas such as the perineum.
The whirlpool jets are positioned to force the water horizontally in the water. Depending upon the position of the whirlpool jets, there is little disturbance on the surface of the water, lessening chances of easily disturbed residents becoming agitated.
Principles of Air Spa
Air spas agitate the water via an air blower that forces air (generally heated) through lines that lead to portals in the bottom of the tub. As the air leaves the portals, they travel vertically to the surface. As the bubbles pass by the body, they provide a massaging feeling.
Since the air bubbles can only travel upwards, there is less overall water movement under the surface. Depending upon the amount of air coming through the portals, there can be significant turbulence at the surface.
Benefits of Whirlpools
- Whirlpools have been proven to provide true hydrotherapy benefits which makes certain whirlpool baths eligible for reimbursement under Medicare CPT billing code 97022.
- Whirlpools are recognized to improve circulation. The whirlpool action stimulates circulation by dilating blood vessels which enables them to carry more oxygen and nutrients. This helps revitalize and renew worn and damaged tissue.
- Whirlpools are recognized to alleviate pain associated with arthritis, help in the treatment of high blood pressure, migraines and yeast infections as well as easing muscle spasms.
- Studies have shown that diabetic patients require reduced doses of insulin after hydrotherapy sessions. Additionally, some patients have lost weight or showed decreases in plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin.
- Many physicians and therapists recommend hydrotherapy as part of a rehab program following surgery or injury.
- Whirlpools cause significantly less turbulence on the surface of the water. This can decrease the chances of residents becoming agitated.
- Whirlpools vaporize less water than air spas. Since there is significantly less turbulence at the surface, whirlpools cause less of an aerosol effect that basically vaporizes water into the air. Especially with highly incontinent residents, this is an infection control advantage.
Benefits of Air Spas
- Air system can be turned on prior to resident entering the tub in order to warm the seat.
- Air system can be turned on while tub is filling to begin massaging the feet
- Air system can be left on during the draining of the tub, thereby limiting the chance of water seeping back into the air lines.
- Air system can be left on during and after the bath to help dry the lines.
- Air spas don’t “spray” water like whirlpools if the water level is not high enough
Benefits of both Air Spas and Whirlpools
- The soaking benefits help relax residents
- The immersion of the lower body provides much better cleaning than showering
- The closed area helps keep care givers dry
- There is less water splashing and creation of an aerosol effect
What to Look for in an Air Spa System
An air spa system should have air jet outlets strategically placed to provide even, complete water agitation.
Air jets should be placed directly underneath specific areas that need to be cleaned such as the perineal area. Correspondingly, the chair should have openings to allow the air and water movement to reach those areas.
The air spa system should have a variable speed motor. When on high settings, air spas generate significant turbulence at the water’s surface. This can agitate or frighten many residents. A variable speed motor allows you to adjust the agitation level.
The disinfection system should not have an easily accessible hose that looks similar to a shower wand. Staff can mistake it for a shower wand and inadvertently spray a resident with hazardous quaternary disinfectants.
The air spa system should include both self-sealing air outlets AND a backflushing system for proper disinfection. Closed air systems can and do get contaminated. Contaminated water from the tub seeps into the lines, and airborne bacteria in the bathing area gets circulated through air blower and, ultimately, in the lines. If the system cannot be flushed, bacteria grow and reproduce.
The air spa system should have a means to agitate the cleaner and disinfectant as it is injected in the lines. As the cleaner or disinfectant is flushed in the system, the air blower can assist with “scrubbing” the lines and effectively flushing them.
Since the transfer chair also needs to be cleaned and disinfected, it is necessary to have a chair that is easy to clean. A removable chair seat allows caregivers to effectively clean and disinfect the underside of the chair, minimizing chances of cross-contamination.
The transfer chair should not have porous materials that can absorb contaminated water and possibly transfer harmful pathogens to the next resident in the bath.
The system should have a safety back-up that automatically turns on the air blower after the last bath of the day. This assures the lines are dry and minimizes the chance of bacteria growth.
Contact Apollo today to find a bathing system that provides a healthier way to care for your residents. |
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