How to Place a Bed Pan (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

The bed pan allows people who cannot easily go to the bathroom (due to illness, trauma or infirmity) to urinate and defecate in a simpler and more hygienic way. If you are caring for someone who has to use it, whether it is a patient at the health facility, a friend or relative, you must be sensitive and physically delicate. Putting a bed pan in the right position might seem like a difficult task, but by following certain procedures, you should be able to complete the task without any problems.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparation

Step 1. Explain the procedure

Greet the person and tell them what you will do to help them use the bed pan. Be patient and compassionate, as the situation can be embarrassing and uncomfortable.

• Assure her that you know what to do and that you will try to make the process as pleasant as possible.
• By providing some information in advance, you can calm the patient and reduce his or her sense of fear and uncertainty.

Step 2. Wash your hands and put on gloves

Thoroughly clean them with warm soapy water before drying them and putting on a pair of disposable gloves.

Step 3. Provide some intimacy

Make sure that the patient has all the necessary privacy right away and for the duration of the procedure.

• Close the door and draw the curtains on the windows.
• If the patient shares a room with other patients, he draws the curtains dividing the various compartments.
• Cover their legs with a blanket or sheet until you are ready to place the pan.

Step 4. Protect the sheets

If possible, place a waterproof crossbar under the patient's body.

If you don't have waterproof protection, cover the sheet under the patient's butt with a large clean towel

Step 5. Heat the pan

Fill it with very hot water and wait several minutes before emptying and drying it.

• The heat of the water should transfer to the pan itself by heating it, so that it will be more comfortable to use than a cold one.
• If the pan is metal, make sure it's not too hot.

Step 6. Sprinkle the edges with talcum powder

Spread a light layer of talcum powder along the edge of the pan.

• This will make it easier to slide it under the patient.
• Only do this if the person does not have pressure sores or cuts on their butt. In the presence of open wounds, avoid using talcum powder.

Step 7. Fill the pan with a little water, just enough to cover the bottom

Alternatively, you can place a few squares of toilet paper on the bottom or spray a little seed oil (if you are in a home environment).

These measures make the cleaning process easier

Step 8. Ask the patient to move their butt

Now that all the material is ready, instruct the patient to take off the lower body clothing.

• If he has mobility problems, help him undress.
• If you are wearing an open back hospital gown, you can avoid taking it off; if there is no opening, lift it up to the waist.
• At this stage it will be necessary to remove the sheet or blanket that is above the patient's body.

Part 2 of 3: Place the Bed Pan

Step 1. Lower the bed

Bring it to the minimum height to reduce the risk of the patient getting hurt if he falls during the procedure.

You should also lower the headboard to allow the patient to rise or turn more easily if necessary

Step 2. Ask him to lie on his back

He should be lying flat on his back, with his knees bent and the soles of his feet on the mattress.

Step 3. Place the pan next to the patient

Place it adjacent to her hip on one side of the bed.

By placing it as close as possible before moving the patient, you prevent the person from exerting too much

Step 4. Help the patient out of bed

It is necessary that you raise your pelvis; if he's not strong enough to do this, you'll need to help him roll onto his side.

• If the patient can lift his butt:

  • Ask him to raise his hips and count to three.
  • Support him by placing a hand under his lower back. Do not lift the patient with this hand, you just have to ensure light support.

• If you can't lift your butt:

  Gently rotate it to the side furthest away from you. Work carefully to prevent the patient from rolling face down or falling out of bed

Step 5. Place the pan under his butt

Thread it so that the curved edge faces your back.

• If the patient can lift the pelvis:

  Slide the pan under the patient's butt and ask him to slowly lower himself onto it, guiding him with your supporting hand

• If you can't lift your butt:

  • Place the pan against the patient's butt making sure that the open end is facing his or her feet.
  • Gently help him return to his supine position over the pan. During the operation, always keep the pan close to the patient's body.

  

  Step 6. Lift the headboard off the bed

  Go slowly and help the patient to assume a more natural posture to fulfill his or her needs.

  

  Step 7. Check the location

  Ask the patient to spread their legs so that you can make sure the pan is in the right place.

  Basically, you need to make sure it is firmly underneath the butt area

  

  Step 8. Provide toilet paper

  Put it within reach of the patient and inform him of his whereabouts.

  • You should also provide the patient with wet hand wipes.
  • Also bring the alarm cord, doorbell, or similar device close and ask the patient to operate it when finished.

  

  Step 9. Walk away

  Give him some privacy while using the bed pan. Let him know that you will be back in a few minutes to check the situation, but remind him to ring the bell in case it ends earlier.

  Don't abandon him if it isn't safe to leave him alone

  Part 3 of 3: Remove the bed pan

  

  Step 1. Wash your hands and put on a new pair of gloves

  As soon as you leave the bed, you should take off your gloves and wash your hands.

  It may take several minutes before you have to go back to him. But first wash your hands again and put on new, clean disposable gloves

  

  Step 2. Quickly introduce yourself to the patient's bed

  Return to the room as soon as you receive the signal that he has finished fulfilling his needs.

  • Bring a basin of warm water, soap, toilet paper, and some cleansing cloths with you.
  • If the patient hasn't rang the bell within 5-10 minutes, check the situation. Keep monitoring it every few minutes.

  

  Step 3. Lower the headboard of the bed

  Bring it to the minimum height without causing discomfort to the patient.

  This way, the patient will have less difficulty moving from the pan

  

  Step 4. Help him out of the pan

  If he has been able to lift his butt to place the pan, he will also be able to lift himself up to take it out. If you previously had to roll it on its side, do the same.

  • If the patient can lift their butt:

    • Ask him to bend his knees.
    • Instruct him to lift his lower body and place your hand under the lower back to give him some support.

  • If you can't lift your butt:

    • Keep the pan steady on the bed, so the contents can't get out.
    • At the same time, roll the patient onto their side furthest away from you.

    

    Step 5. Remove the pan

    Remove it from where it is and allow the patient to lean on the bed.

    • Work carefully and prevent the pan from rubbing the patient's skin as you remove it.
    • Cover it with a cloth and set it aside for now.

    

    Step 6. Clean the patient

    Determine whether or not he has been able to clean himself. If not, you will have to take care of its hygiene.

    • Clean their hands with a wet, soapy cloth or sanitizing wipes.
    • Cleanse your private parts with toilet paper. For patients, take special care to rub from the anterior genital area towards the rectum to reduce the risk of contaminating the urinary tract with bacteria present in the anal area.

    

    Step 7. Clean

    When the patient is clean, remove the waterproof crossbar or towel.

    • If the contents of the pan have fallen on the bed or there has been other contamination, you will need to change the bed sheets, gown or clothes of the patient immediately.
    • If there is a bad smell left in the room, consider spraying an air freshener.

    

    Step 8. Return the patient to a comfortable position

    Help him get into a comfortable posture for rest.

    If necessary, raise or lower the entire bed or headboard to put the patient at ease

    

    Step 9. Observe or take note of the contents of the pan

    Take her to the bathroom and check.

    • Look for anything abnormal such as red, black, green streaks, as well as unformed mucus or stool.
    • If necessary, measure and write down what was produced.

    

    Step 10. Discard the content

    Empty the pan into the toilet and flush the toilet.

    

    Step 11. Clean or replace the pan

    Unless it is a disposable model, you will need to clean it thoroughly before storing it.

    • Rinse the inside with cold water and pour it down the toilet.
    • Scrub it with cold soapy water and a toilet brush. Rinse it with more cold water and throw it all in the toilet.
    • When finished, dry it and store it in the appropriate place.

    

    Step 12. Wash your hands

    Remove your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly using warm soapy water.

    • You should wash them for a full minute, if not more.
    • When everything is clean and tidy, restore the room to its normal condition by opening the curtains, windows and doors that you closed at the beginning of the procedure.