Assure the patient that you know what to do and will make the experience as pleasant as possible. Explaining this to the patient beforehand can help calm your patient and reduce his fear and uncertainty.
Close the door and cover the windows with curtains. If the patient shares a room with someone else, draw the curtain separating the two beds. Keep the patient’s legs covered with a blanket or sheet until you are ready to position the bedpan.
If you do not have access to a waterproof protector, cover the sheets beneath patient’s buttocks with a large, clean bath towel.
The heat from the water should transfer to the bedpan itself, warming it up. A warm bedpan will be more comfortable for the patient to use than a cold one. If it is a metal bedpan, make sure it is not too hot.
The powder will make it easier to slide the bedpan beneath the patient. Only do this if the patient does not have any bedsores or cuts on her buttocks. Do not use talcum powder if the patient has any open wounds.
Any of these practices will make the cleanup process easier.
Assist the patient if he is unable to do this alone. If the patient is wearing a gown with an opening in the back, you can leave the gown on. If the gown has no opening, you will need to lift it above the patient’s waist. You will also need to pull the top sheet or blanket back at this time.
You should also lower the head of the bed at this time, since doing so may make it easier for the patient to lift or turn as needed.
Positioning the bedpan as close as possible before moving the patient will cause less strain to the patient.
If the patient can lift their hips: Instruct your patient to raise their hips on the count of three. Support the patient by placing your hand beneath their lower back. Do not do any serious lifting with this hand. You should only provide light support. If the patient cannot lift their hips: Gently turn the patient to the side facing away from you. Work carefully to prevent the patient from rolling onto their stomach or off the bed.
If the patient can lift their hips: Slide the bedpan underneath the buttocks and instruct the patient to ease down onto it, using your support hand to guide them. If the patient cannot lift their hips: Slide the bedpan directly next to the patient’s buttocks. Keep the open end pointing toward the patient’s feet. Gently roll the patient back onto her back and over the bedpan. Hold the bedpan close to the patient’s body as you work.
Essentially, you need to make sure that the bedpan is positioned securely beneath the entire area of the buttocks.
You should also provide sanitary wipes for the patient’s hands. Keep a signal cord, bell, or similar device near the patient, too. Instruct the patient to ring the signal when finished.
Do not leave the patient if doing so would be unsafe.
Several minutes may pass before you return to the patient again. Before doing so, wash your hands once more and put on a new, clean pair of disposable gloves.
Bring a basin of warm water, soap, toilet paper, and sanitary cleansing cloths with you when you return. If the patient does not signal to you within 5 to 10 minutes, check on their progress. Continue checking every few minutes.
This position will make it easier for the patient to move off the bedpan.
If the patient can lift independently: Ask the patient to bend their knees. Instruct the patient to raise their lower half. Place your hand beneath the lower back to offer gentle support. If the patient cannot lift independently: Hold the bedpan flat on the bed so that it does not spill. Simultaneously roll the patient to the side facing away from you.
Work carefully and avoid sliding the bedpan against the patient’s skin while removing it. Cover the bedpan with a towel and set it aside for the time being.
Clean the patient’s hands with a wet, soapy washcloth or sanitary wipes. Clean the patient’s bottom half with toilet paper. For female patients in particular, wipe from front to back to reduce the risk of contaminating the urinary tract with bacteria from the rectum.
If a spill or other contamination occurs, you will need to change the bed linens and the patient’s gown or clothing immediately. If there is an odor in the room, consider spraying an air freshener.
If necessary, raise or lower the entire bed or the head of the bed to keep the patient more comfortable.
Look for anything unusual, like streaks of red, black, or green, as well as mucus or diarrhea. If necessary, measure and record the output.
Flush out the contents of the bedpan with cold water. Pour this water into the toilet. Scrub the bedpan with cold, soapy water and a toilet brush. Rinse it with additional cold water, and dump the water into the toilet. Dry the bedpan and return it to its proper storage position when done.
You should wash your hands for a full minute, if not longer. Once everything is clean, you can return the room to its standard condition by opening curtains, windows, and doors that were closed for the procedure.
