Overview of Nursing Bedpan Management
A bedpan is a tool used to help people who are unable to use the toilet because they are bedridden due to severe illness or risk of injury. This is a practice that’s been in use since the 18th century and is still essential today.
There are two main types of bedpans: regular and fracture. The regular bedpan is a bit bigger. The fracture bedpan has a flat end, which makes it easier to use for individuals with hip fractures, hip replacements or broken legs. For individuals with a higher body weight, there are bariatric bedpans that can hold up to 1200 pounds (or around 544 kg).
It should be noted that using a bedpan can sometimes be uncomfortable and embarrassing for people of all genders. This discomfort can be exacerbated in semi-private rooms or overcrowded hospitals where privacy might be an issue.
Why do People Need Nursing Bedpan Management
There may be cases where a person, especially one who can’t move around much, might have to use a bedpan. This could be due to various reasons including:
* Broken bones in the hip or lower parts of the body
* Illnesses that are very tiring or weakening
* After having surgery
* High risk of falling and potentially injuring oneself
* Women-related health circumstances
Equipment used for Nursing Bedpan Management
Your caregiver may use a bedpan to help you if you can’t move about or get out of bed. There are two common types of bedpans, a regular one and a smaller one, known as a fracture pan. The type to be used will be chosen based on your health situation, comfort, and preference. For instance, if you have a fracture, a regular-sized bedpan might not be suitable for you. Make sure your caregiver gathers all the things they need before starting the procedure.
Items They May Need:
- Bedpan: Either a regular one or a fracture pan. If you’re a larger person, they’ll bear that in mind too.
- Protective gear: They will wear gloves to maintain hygiene.
- Cleaning supplies: They’ll use items like soap and a basin of water for hand hygiene, along with disposable wipes.
- Incontinence products: These are items like pads or diapers that absorb urine.
- Linens: Things like washcloths, bed sheets, or blankets to cover you up and maintain your privacy.
- Privacy aids: They might use a privacy curtain to give you some comfort and dignity.
- Powder: If there’s no reason not to use it, they might use body powder.
- Toilet paper
- Trashcan
- Dirty linen bag: For dirty sheets and towels with the location of the dirty/soiled utility room included.
- Graduated cylinder: This is used to measure how much urine you’re passing if need be.
- Stool containers: These are required if your stool needs to be tested.
How is Nursing Bedpan Management performed
Using a bedpan when you have to remain in bed at the request of your doctor or healthcare team requires a very specific method. There are clear rules and guidelines in healthcare facilities for how this should be done to make you as comfortable as possible and maintain your dignity.
How a patient is helped onto a bedpan can vary depending on their physical condition. Some people might have the ability to lift their hips, while others may not because of recent surgery, a broken bone, or other reasons. The first step should be to ensure that the patient is as far up in the bed as possible. If they can lift their hips, then the top of the bed should be raised at least thirty degrees, which gives them some support and makes going to the bathroom easier. It’s been found that the positioning of the body can significantly impact the speed and movement of gas within the intestines and stomach which means it’s faster when you are upright than when you are lying flat.
Here are the steps a healthcare provider should take when using a bedpan:
1. The head, or top, of the bed should be lowered to make getting onto and off of the bedpan easier, especially for anyone that isn’t capable of lifting their hips.
2. They’ll let you know who they are and what their job is. They’ll also make sure they’re taking care of the right person by confirming unique identifiers about you.
3. They’ll explain what will be happening and ask if you have any preferences based on previous experience.
4. They’ll wash their hands thoroughly.
5. Your privacy will be protected by drawing curtains around your bed and requesting visitors step out for a moment if needed. Using a bedpan can often cause feelings of embarrassment, so they’ll work to preserve your dignity throughout.
6. They’ll put on gloves and any other necessary protective clothing. The bed will be raised to a level that prevents them from hurting their back.
7. An absorbent pad will be placed under you to keep the sheets clean. They’ll then help you onto your side so that the bedpan can be placed under you. Powders or tissues may be used to stop your skin from sticking to the pan. Powder shouldn’t be used if you’re allergic or sensitive to it or have any wounds in the area.
8. The bedpan will be positioned to accommodate your body shape. The wider end is towards your head and the narrower end towards your feet. They’ll then help roll you back onto the bedpan. They’ll never force the bedpan under you as this might hurt you. If a larger bedpan is needed, more staff may be brought in to help. Once the bedpan is in position, a blanket or sheet will be placed over you for privacy.
9. Your bed will then be raised to a slightly inclined position, around thirty degrees, and a pillow might be placed under the lower part of your spine to make this position more comfortable for you. Bending your knees, if you’re able to, will help you use the bedpan. You’ll be asked to let them know when you’re done by using the call button given.
10. Your bed will be lowered again to allow the removal of the bedpan. They’ll make sure that the entire area is dry after the bedpan is removed and any absorbent pads will be disposed of. The contents of the bedpan will be emptied, measured if necessary, and cleaned out afterwards.
11. After finishing, they’ll offer you a damp cloth or wet wipes to clean your hands. They’ll again wash their hands to prevent the spread of bacteria.
12. Any sheets or materials used will be put in a special laundry hamper or storage area and trash removed.
They’ll also ask if you have any requests or preferred methods for next time and ask if you were comfortable during the procedure. It is important that the bed is not too close to the edge of the bed to prevent you from falling off. Your bed will be put in the lowest position and locked, with the call button placed within reach. You’ll be advised to ask for help if you need it.
13. If needed, they’ll ensure that there’s proper lighting and that bed alarms are set. Curtains will be opened or closed depending on what you want or what your condition warrants. Any record keeping, such as charting the amount of waste produced, bathroom use, and your skin health, will be completed as per their job description and the hospital’s policy. This includes noting the color and consistency of the waste and if there’s any bad odor.
Possible Complications of Nursing Bedpan Management
Using a bedpan might cause a few problems like constipation, feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable, and feeling like you’ve lost some dignity because your privacy isn’t fully respected.
Lack of Privacy
In 2010, an investigation looked into “Toilet Privacy in the Hospital”. Patients and doctors talked about some issues they had noticed, particularly when it came to using the toilet. Some of the things that made patients feel uncomfortable included call lights being too far away or not getting a response quickly enough, not being able to wash their hands after using the toilet, curtains that didn’t close properly, and just generally feeling like their privacy wasn’t respected when they needed to go to the bathroom. Some people suggested that having clearer signage might help.
Constipation
Bedpan use can also cause constipation. If a patient doesn’t feel like their privacy is respected, they might hold in their bowel movements, which can lead to constipation. When you feel the need to poop but decide not to, certain muscles in your body relax and your rectum ends up holding more stool than it normally would.
A study that looked at stroke patients between 2003 and 2004 found that 55.2% of these patients became constipated within a month after their first stroke. Also, people who had a more severe stroke, which left them needing a bedpan, had a higher chance of becoming constipated. They also had worse outcomes 3 months after their stroke compared to people who didn’t use a bedpan. So clearly, providing a comfortable and private environment for stroke patients to poop can help prevent constipation and improve their overall wellbeing.
Another study sponsored by the Italian Space Agency had ten healthy men use a bedpan for bowel movements while lying down in bed for 35 days. At the end of this study, 60% of the men became constipated.
What Else Should I Know About Nursing Bedpan Management?
Using a bedpan to help patients go to the bathroom can have specific risks, so it’s crucial to understand the possible emotional and physical effects in a hospital or clinic setting. Bedpans shouldn’t be used for the convenience of hospital staff, but instead should meet certain criteria to ensure the right level of care for patients.
Shortage of staff may sometimes lead to slow response to patients’ call bells, causing delays in helping them use the bathroom. These delays can increase the risk of patients falling or having accidents, which can cause distress emotionally and physically. If patients don’t get the help they need when they need it, they may become less satisfied with the care they’re receiving.
This decrease in patient satisfaction could potentially affect the revenue hospitals receive for their care, since a part of the reimbursements they get can be based on patient satisfaction scores.
