Best Practices For Cleaning Bedpans In Ltc Facilities

Cleaning bedpans is a necessary but often unpleasant task for healthcare workers. While some bedpans are disposable, reusable bedpans are preferred by patients as they offer more comfort and are better for the environment. However, reusable bedpans must be cleaned and disinfected properly to ensure the safety of both patients and staff. Improper cleaning can lead to the spread of infection, with handwashing being a particularly risky method due to the potential for cross-contamination. Instead, it is recommended that healthcare settings use bedpan washer disinfectors that utilise thermal disinfection to kill dangerous pathogens and microbes. These machines empty, flush, clean, and disinfect bedpans, ensuring a thorough and efficient cleaning process.

Use bedpan liners

Bedpan liners are a hygienic and convenient way to manage bedpans, especially in long-term care (LTC) settings. Here are some reasons why using bedpan liners is beneficial:

• Enhanced Hygiene: Bedpan liners help maintain hygiene by reducing the risk of contamination. The super-absorbent pad within the liner converts bodily fluids into gel, preventing spills and reducing unpleasant odours. This feature also makes it more comfortable and dignified for the user.
• Ease of Use: These liners are easy to use and seal. They eliminate the need for hand-cleaning bedpans, which can be unpleasant and risky for staff and patients. Liners can simply be thrown away after use, like trash bags, without the need for rinsing or scrubbing.
• Time Efficiency: By eliminating the need for manual cleaning, bedpan liners save valuable time for caregivers. This is especially beneficial in LTC facilities, where efficient routines are crucial.
• Versatility: Bedpan liners are designed to fit various bedpan types, including standard and fractured bedpans, making them a versatile solution for different patient needs.
• Cost-Effectiveness: While the cost of bedpan liners might be a concern, they can actually save money in the long run. By eliminating the need for frequent bedpan replacements, liners can extend the lifespan of bedpans, reducing overall costs.
• Safety: In terms of safety, bedpan liners offer a significant advantage over hand-washing. They prevent splashback during cleaning, reducing the risk of contamination of surrounding surfaces and uniforms. This helps to minimise the spread of infections, keeping patients and staff safer.
• Environmental Impact: While disposable bedpans contribute to waste, bedpan liners can help reduce this environmental impact. By using liners, the same bedpan can be reused multiple times, minimising the amount of waste flushed into sewers.

Overall, bedpan liners offer a convenient, hygienic, and safe solution for bedpan use, especially in LTC settings. They improve the user experience, enhance caregiver efficiency, and help maintain a clean and safe environment.

Wash in a laundry or mop sink

If you're cleaning bedpans in a laundry or mop sink, it's important to prepare properly and protect yourself. Before you begin, put on a pair of rubber gloves. If there's a chance of bleach or water splashing onto your clothes, consider wearing a protective apron, too.

First, dump any waste into the toilet and flush. You can then pour water into the bedpan and swish it around to remove anything that's stuck to the sides. Once you've done this, you can start washing the bedpan with a mixture of one part bleach to three parts water. Use a sponge or rag to scrub the bedpan inside and out until all traces of waste are removed. Rinse the bedpan several times to ensure all waste, bleach and dirty water are gone.

Finally, use a little more bleach to clean the sink or tub where you cleaned the bedpan. After you're done, wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap. Keep the bedpans, gloves, towels, sponges and rags in a bucket, away from everyday items.

Use bleach to sanitise

Bleach is a powerful disinfectant that can be used to sanitise bedpans. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use bleach to sanitise bedpans effectively and safely:

Prepare the Workspace and Protect Yourself

Don a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands from coming into contact with any germs or bleach. It is also recommended to wear a protective apron to shield your clothes from bleach splashes. Ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling toxic bleach fumes.

Empty and Rinse the Bedpan

First, dump any waste from the bedpan into a toilet and flush it away. You may also want to pour a little water into the pan, swish it around, and rinse to remove anything stuck to the sides. It is preferable to use a laundry sink or mop sink to avoid rinsing near food, utensils, or personal care items. If you must clean the bedpan in a shared space, use a bathtub to reduce the risk of contaminating other items.

Mix a Bleach Solution

To sanitise the bedpan, you will need to create a bleach solution by mixing bleach with water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using different ratios of bleach to water depending on what you are cleaning. For hard surfaces, a common ratio is 1:80, which equals 1 cup (240 millilitres) of bleach to 5 gallons (18.9 litres) of water. Always follow the label directions on the bleach product and never use bleach at full strength or mix it with other solutions or chemicals.

Scrub and Rinse the Bedpan

Use a sponge or rag dedicated solely to bedpan cleaning to scrub the bedpan inside and out with the bleach solution until all traces of waste are removed. Rinse the bedpan several times with clean water to ensure all waste, bleach, and dirty water are eliminated.

Dry and Store the Bedpan

After rinsing, thoroughly wipe the bedpan with an old towel to dry it. Store the bedpan, gloves, towel, and cleaning supplies in a designated area where they won't come into contact with everyday items.

Clean the Workspace

Use a small amount of bleach to sanitise the sink or tub where you cleaned the bedpan. Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap after completing the cleaning process.

Additional Tips:

• Always follow safety guidelines when using bleach products.
• Never mix household bleach with other cleaners or disinfectants as it can release dangerous vapours.
• Make a fresh bleach solution daily as it loses its effectiveness after being mixed with water for over 24 hours.
• Consider using bedpan liners made of heavy-duty plastic to avoid direct contact with waste and facilitate easier disposal.

By following these steps, you can effectively sanitise bedpans using bleach, ensuring a safe and clean environment for both patients and caregivers.

Wear protective gloves and clothing

When cleaning bedpans, it is important to wear protective gloves and clothing to ensure your safety and maintain a hygienic environment. Here are some detailed instructions to follow:

Wear Protective Gloves:

Always wear disposable gloves when handling a bedpan to protect your hands from coming into direct contact with any bodily fluids or waste. Change your gloves frequently and disinfect your hands after removing them. This helps prevent the spread of pathogens and reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

Put on Protective Clothing:

In addition to gloves, wear a protective gown or apron to cover your body and clothing. This creates a barrier against splashes or spills during the cleaning process. Make sure to remove the protective clothing safely and dispose of it properly after cleaning.

Eye Protection:

Consider wearing protective goggles or a face shield, especially if there is a risk of splashes or aerosols being released during the cleaning process. This adds an extra layer of protection for your eyes and face.

Footwear:

Wear closed-toe shoes or boots that are comfortable and provide good traction. This helps protect your feet from any spills or hazards on the floor.

Hair and Skin Coverage:

Tie back long hair and cover it with a cap or hairnet to prevent strands from falling onto the bedpan or cleaning area. If necessary, use a face mask to cover your mouth and nose, adding an extra layer of protection.

Remember, the key to safe and hygienic bedpan cleaning is to minimise direct contact with the waste and potential contaminants. By wearing the appropriate protective gear, you create a barrier between yourself and the waste, reducing the risk of exposure to harmful pathogens and maintaining a clean environment.

Use a washer-disinfector

Washer-disinfectors are an effective way to clean bedpans in LTC. They are a safe, high-heat cleaning solution that kills or denatures pathogens and assists your overall infection control strategy. Washer-disinfectors are especially useful in hospitals, care facilities, hospices, and special needs schools.

• Transport reusable utensils, such as bedpans, to your nearest sluice/dirty utility/pan room, covering them and wearing protective gloves and an apron to maintain hygiene.
• Open the washer disinfector by placing your foot inside the foot cup located on the front of the machine.
• Check inside the machine to ensure it is empty and free of any items that should not be placed inside, such as gloves, aprons, diapers, wipes, or single-use bedpans.
• Load urinals, pots, and bedpans into the rack as instructed for your specific machine type. Ensure proper alignment with the fixed and rotating wash nozzles to maximise cleaning and minimise water wastage.
• Avoid overloading the machine, as this can block the path of water jets and prevent effective cleaning.
• Close the lid/door of the machine. Some machines have a hands-free lid-closing function to reduce infection risk. If your machine has this feature, wave your hand over the hands-free sensor or place your foot back inside the foot cup to activate it.
• If your machine doesn't have a hands-free function, wear gloves and close the lid/door manually before pressing the start button.
• The wash cycle will start automatically. You don't need to monitor the machine during the cycle, but a digital display will indicate the temperature inside the chamber.
• Once the cycle is complete, a green light next to a thumbs-up symbol will indicate that it is safe to open the machine. Use the foot cup to open it.
• Remove the items and place them on a storage rack. The items will be cool to the touch.
• Clean the outer surfaces of the machine daily to prevent any microbial build-up. Use a mild, non-abrasive detergent and a clean cloth to wipe down the machine's lid/door, seals, and outer surfaces.

Washer-disinfectors offer several benefits:

• They provide a safe and efficient way to clean bedpans, reducing the risk of infection.
• They are more pleasant for staff than manual cleaning methods.
• They are environmentally friendly, as reusable bedpans produce less waste than disposable ones.
• They are versatile and can be used to clean various items, including bedpans, urine bottles, hand wash basins, and mop buckets.
• They are cost-effective, with a one-off investment and limited consumables.
• They are available in various models, including wall-mounted, under-worktop, and built-in units, to suit different space requirements.

Some features to look for when choosing a washer-disinfector include hands-free technology, automatic door opening and closing, load detection, and adjustable settings to meet hygiene requirements.

Frequently asked questions