Assisting a patient to use a bedpan

Authors: V.Rednenko 

Editor: V.Rednenko 

Equipment for the practical skill:

• Simulated patient (patient manikin)
• Hospital bed with bedding
• Manipulative table
• Disinfection table with wast containers
• Disposable cleaning cloths (cloth, cotton wool, gauze)
• Towels
• Bath blanket
• Bed protector
• Wash basin
• Pitcher with warm (40-45º С) water
• Bath thermometer
• Soap
• Paper towels
• Gloves, sleeve protectors, apron
• Clean clothing
• Clean linens (if needed)
• Bedpan

Clinical situation:

Patient N. is in the neurological department with acute cerebrovascular accident, she ask a bedpan. The patient is bedridden. Assist the patient to use the bedpan.

Order of the skill performance:

Preparatory stage:

• Introduce yourself
• Identify patient
• Obtain informed consent to the procedure (if the patient's condition allows it)
  • Give all the information to the person about what the procedure involves, including the benefits and risks, whether there are reasonable alternative, and what will happen without this procedure
  • Explain what you are going to do.
  • Ask the patient to consent to procedure.
  • Explain to the patient how he can help.
• Make sure you have the necessary equipment and put it on the over-bed table (the chair next to the bed)
• Sanitize your hands.
• Prepare the patient bed:
• Raise the bed to a comfortable working height.
• Make sure the wheels on the bed are locked

Main stage:

• Lower the head of the bed as low as the person can tolerate.
• Fold the top linens out of the way, keeping the person’s legs covered. Adjust the person’s clothing as needed to expose the buttocks.
• Put on gloves.
• Position the bedpan underneath the person’s buttocks.
  • Option A:
    • Ask the person to bend her knees, place her feet firmly on the bed and raise her buttocks.
    • Assist as necessary by slipping your hand under the person’s lower back and lifting slightly.
    • Position the bed protector under the person’s buttocks, and place the bedpan on the bed protector.
    • Help the person to lower herself onto the bedpan.
  • Option B:
    • Assist the person to turn onto her side so that she is facing away from you.
    • Position the bed protector under the person’s buttocks.
    • Hold the bedpan firmly against the person’s buttocks and then gently turn the person back onto the bedpan.

• Arrange the top linens back over the person. Raise the head of the bed as tolerated so that the person is in a comfortable sitting position.
• Make sure the toilet paper and the person’s method of calling for help are within reach.
• If you do not need to stay with the person to ensure her safety, remove your gloves and wash your hands. Ask the person to call you when she is finished and leave the room. Remember to shut the door on your way out, and to check on the person every 5 minutes.
• When the person is finished using the bedpan, lower the head of the bed as low as the person can tolerate. Fold the top linens out of the way.
• Put on gloves and assist the person with wiping, as needed.
• Remove the bedpan.
  • Option A:
    • Ask the person to bend her knees, place her feet firmly on the bed and raise her buttocks.
    • Remove the bedpan and bed protector.
  • Option B:
    • Assist the person to turn onto her side (facing away from you) while you hold the bedpan against the mattress to prevent the contents from spilling.
    • Remove the bedpan and bed protector, and then help the person to roll back.
• Cover the bedpan with the cover and set it aside on the bed protector, in a place where it will not spill.
• Remove your gloves.
• Help the person to adjust her clothing, as needed.
• Arrange the top linens back over the person.
• Raise the head of the bed as the person requests.
• Put on a clean pair of gloves.
• Fill the wash basin with warm water and help the person to wash and dry her hands.
• Take the bedpan to the bathroom. Observe and (if ordered) measure the contents of the bedpan before emptying it and cleaning it.
• Remove your gloves and wash your hands.

 Final stage:

• Ensure the person’s comfort and good body alignment.
• Adjust equipment for safety: Lower the bed to the level specified in the person’s care plan. Make sure the wheels on the bed are locked. Place the person’s method of calling for help within reach. Lower or raise the side rails according to the person’s care plan.
• Clean up your work area.
• Wash your hands.