Ella Walter
Bedpans are used to collect urine or feces for people who are unable to use a bathroom due to illness, injury, infirmity, or post-surgery. Proper bedpan placement is crucial to ensure the patient's comfort and dignity. When assisting someone with a bedpan, it is important to be emotionally sensitive and physically gentle. This guide will explain how to place bed pans properly, covering the setup, patient positioning, and removal process.
How to Place Bed Pans Properly
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Explain the procedure | Explain what you are going to do and why before you start. Show patience and compassion, and assure the patient that you know what you're doing. |
| Prepare the bed | Place a towel or disposable pad under the patient to protect the bed linens. If the patient is not in a hospital bed, put pillows under their back and shoulders to raise them up. |
| Prepare the patient | Assist the patient with removing clothing from the bottom half of their body. Cover their legs with a sheet or blanket. |
| Position the patient | Ask the patient to lie on their back with knees bent and feet flat on the mattress. If they can, ask them to lift their hips. |
| Position the bedpan | Place the bedpan as close to the patient as possible, with the curved edge facing the back. Slide the bedpan under the patient's buttocks. |
| Patient elimination | Ask the patient to ease their buttocks down onto the bedpan. Raise the head of the bed to bring the patient into a more natural toileting position. |
| Clean-up | Remove the bedpan and help the patient back into a comfortable position. Provide hand wipes and hand sanitizer. |
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What You'll Learn
Explain the procedure and maintain dignity
Using a bedpan can be an awkward and embarrassing experience for the patient, so it is important to do everything possible to help them maintain their dignity. Before you begin, explain the procedure to the patient and assure them that you know what you are doing. Tell them what you are going to do and why, and give them privacy where possible.
First, assist the patient with removing clothing from the bottom half of their body. Place a towel or disposable protective pad under the patient to protect the bed linens from any accidental spills. You can also cover the patient's legs with a sheet or blanket to maintain their modesty. If the patient is in a hospital bed, raise the head of the bed so that they are in a semi-upright position. This is a more natural position for toileting and may make the patient more comfortable.
Next, place the bedpan as close to the patient as possible, next to their hips, with the curved edge of the bedpan facing the back. If the patient can lift their hips, slide the bedpan under their buttocks and gently instruct them to ease down onto it. If the patient cannot raise their hips, gently roll them onto their side, being careful not to roll them too far, and place the bedpan against their hips. Then, roll the patient onto the bedpan and back towards you.
Once the patient has finished, remove the bedpan carefully as it can stick to the skin. Help the patient to clean up with toilet paper, wet wipes, or a warm damp cloth, ensuring their skin is dried well to prevent rashes or bedsores. Provide hand wipes and hand sanitizer for the patient. Finish up by helping the patient back into a comfortable position and encouraging them to wash their hands to prevent infection.
Remember to remain calm and relaxed throughout the process to help put the patient at ease.
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Prepare the bedpan and patient
Before placing the bedpan, it is important to prepare the patient both physically and mentally. Explain the procedure to the patient beforehand, showing patience and compassion, and assure them that you know what you are doing. This can help to calm the patient and reduce their fear and uncertainty.
If the patient is wearing clothing on the bottom half of their body, assist them in removing it. Cover the patient's legs with a sheet or blanket to maintain their dignity and keep them warm. If necessary, place a towel or disposable protective pad under the patient to protect the bed linens from any accidental spills.
Next, instruct the patient to lie on their back with their knees bent and feet flat on the mattress. If the patient is unable to lie flat, help them to get into this position by supporting their back and shoulders with pillows. If the patient is in a hospital bed, raise the head of the bed so that they are in a semi-upright position. This will make it easier for the patient to eliminate and will feel more natural.
Once the patient is in position, place the bedpan as close to the patient as possible, next to their hips, with the curved edge of the bedpan facing the back. If the bed has side rails, ensure these are raised for safety.
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Position the bedpan
Positioning a bedpan can be intimidating, but following the correct procedure will ensure the process is completed without a problem. Bedpans are used to collect urine or faeces for people who cannot easily go to and from a bathroom due to illness, injury, or infirmity.
First, place a towel or disposable protective pad under the patient to protect bed linens from any accidental spills. Then, assist the patient with removing clothing from the bottom half of their body. Cover the patient's legs with a sheet or blanket to maintain their dignity and offer privacy.
Next, place the bedpan as close to the patient as possible, next to the hip, with the curved edge of the bedpan facing the back. If the patient can lift their hips, slide the bedpan under their buttocks and gently instruct them to ease their buttocks down onto the bedpan. If the patient cannot raise their hips, gently roll them onto their side, using caution not to roll too far. Place the bedpan against their hips and roll the patient onto the bedpan and back towards you.
If you are working from a hospital bed, raise the head of the bed so the patient is in a semi-upright position, which is a more natural toileting position. If the patient is not in a hospital bed, place pillows under their back and shoulders to raise them up as much as possible.
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Help the patient onto the bedpan
Helping a patient use a bedpan can be an awkward and embarrassing situation for both the patient and caregiver. It is important to be emotionally sensitive and physically gentle, and to do everything possible to help the patient maintain their dignity. Explain the procedure to the patient beforehand, and keep them covered with a sheet or blanket as much as possible to allow for modesty.
First, assist the patient with removing clothing from the bottom half of their body. Place a towel or disposable protective pad under the patient to protect the bed linens from any accidental spills. Then, instruct the patient to lie on their back with their knees bent and feet flat on the mattress. Place the bedpan as close to the patient as possible next to the hip, with the curved edge of the bedpan facing the back.
If the patient can lift their hips, slide the bedpan under their buttocks and gently instruct them to ease their buttocks down onto the bedpan. If the patient cannot raise their hips, gently roll them onto their side, using caution to not roll too far. Place the bedpan against the hips and roll the patient onto the bedpan and back toward you. If the patient is in a hospital bed, raise the head of the bed so the patient is in a semi-upright position.
Once the patient has finished, remove the bedpan carefully as it can stick to the skin. Help the patient with clean-up if necessary, using toilet paper, wet wipes, or a warm damp cloth. Ensure the patient's skin is dried well to prevent rashes or bedsores, and provide hand wipes and hand sanitizer. Finish by helping the patient back into a comfortable position.
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Remove the bedpan and clean the patient
Once the patient has finished using the bedpan, it is important to remove it carefully and clean the patient. This process should be carried out with emotional sensitivity and physical gentleness, maintaining the patient's dignity and privacy throughout.
Firstly, put on clean gloves. If the patient is able to lift their hips, ask them to do so and, with one hand supporting their lower back, use your other hand to slide the bedpan out from under them. If the patient is unable to lift their hips, assist them to roll onto their side, facing away from you. Ensure you have a firm grasp on the bedpan as you do this, to prevent spills.
Next, help the patient to clean up. You can use toilet paper, wet wipes, or a warm damp cloth, whichever is most suitable for the patient. It is important to dry the patient's skin thoroughly to prevent rashes or bedsores. If the patient has faeces on their skin, you may need to cleanse and gently massage their rear to ensure all waste is removed. For female patients, wipe from front to back, away from the vaginal area, to prevent possible infection.
Once the patient is clean and dry, help them back into a comfortable position. If they have been lying on a waterproof pad, discard this, and fix their clothes and bed linens. Encourage the patient to wash their hands with hand sanitiser to prevent infection.
Finally, empty the contents of the bedpan into a toilet. Rinse and clean the bedpan thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Dry the bedpan and put it away. Dispose of your gloves and wash your hands.
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Frequently asked questions
Help the patient roll onto their side and position the bedpan under them. With one hand holding the bedpan, help them roll back onto it.
Slide the bedpan underneath the patient's buttocks with the curved edge of the bedpan facing the back. Ask the patient to spread their legs slightly so that you can verify proper bedpan placement.
Explain the procedure to the patient beforehand to help calm them and reduce their fear and uncertainty. Assist the patient with removing clothing from the bottom half of their body and cover their legs with a sheet or blanket.
