For people who are unable to go to the bathroom due to illness, injury, or old age, using the bedpan to defecate and pee is easier and cleaner. If you are helping someone to use the potty, either professionally or as a friend or family member, you should be sensitive and careful. Providing a potty may sound uncomfortable, but if you follow it the right way, it should be fine. (The steps below describe potty use in healthcare institutions, but in general they can also be applied at home.)
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting Ready
Step 1. Explain the procedure
Greet the patient and explain that you want to help him use the bedpan. Be patient and empathetic, as this situation may be uncomfortable and embarrassing for the patient.
- Reassure the patient by showing that you know what needs to be done and will make the process as comfortable as possible.
- Explaining this process in advance can calm the patient and reduce his fears or doubts.
Step 2. Wash your hands and put on gloves
Wash your hands with warm water and soap until they are completely clean. Then, dry your hands and put on disposable gloves.
Step 3. Provide privacy
Ensure that the patient's privacy is maintained throughout the procedure.
- Close the doors and window blinds.
- If the patient is sharing a room with someone else, close the curtains separating their beds.
- Cover the patient's feet until you are ready to place the bedpan.
Step 4. Protect the sheets
If possible, cover the sheets the patient is sleeping on with a waterproof layer.
If a waterproof layer is not available, cover the sheets around the patient's groin with a large clean bath towel
Step 5. Warm the potty
Fill the pot with warm water. Allow a few minutes, drain, then dry the bedpan.
- The temperature of the water should have warmed the potty. A warm potty is more comfortable to sit on than a cold one.
- If the potty is made of metal, make sure not to overheat it.
Step 6. Sprinkle talcum powder on the edges of the potty
Dab a little talcum powder on the edge of the potty.
- This powder is to make it easier for the bedpan to be shifted under the patient.
- This method can only be used if the patient's buttocks do not suffer from bedsores or scratches. Do not use talcum powder if the patient's buttocks have open wounds.
Step 7. Fill the pot with a little water so that the entire bottom is wet
It can also be coated with a few sheets of paper towels or sprayed with vegetable oil.
The above is useful for making cleaning the potty easier
Step 8. Ask the patient to take off his undergarment
After all the above preparations, ask the patient to undress his subordinates.
- Help the patient if he cannot do this himself.
- If the patient is wearing a hospital gown with a slit in the back, the gown does not need to be removed. If the gown has no opening, you can raise it above the patient's waist.
- You must also remove the patient's blanket.
Part 2 of 3: Placing the Potty
Step 1. Lower the bed
Lower the bed completely to minimize the risk of injury if the patient falls during this procedure.
Also lower the head of the bed, this way the patient is more free to lift the body or turn around as necessary
Step 2. Ask the patient to lie on his back
The patient should sleep face up, with knees bent and feet on the bed.
Step 3. Place the bedpan beside the patient
Place a clean bedpan on the bed, snugly beside the patient's hip.
Place the bedpan as close to the patient as possible before helping him or her to get up so that the patient does not have to struggle
Step 4. Help the patient move
The patient needs to elevate his hips. If the patient is not strong enough to do that, you need to help him turn around so that he sleeps on his side.
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If the patient can elevate the hip:
- Ask the patient to raise their hips on the count of three.
- Support the patient with your hands on his lower back. Don't push hard. You just need to support it lightly.
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If the patient cannot elevate the hip:
Carefully help the patient to sleep on his side with his back to you. Do not let the patient face down or roll out of bed
Step 5. Place the bedpan under the patient's buttocks
Slide the bedpan down the patient's buttocks and the back of the bedpan toward the patient's head.
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If the patient can elevate the hip:
Slide the bedpan under the patient's buttocks and ask the patient to slowly lower the hips so that they are sitting on the bedpan; use your supporting hand to guide the patient
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If the patient cannot elevate the hip:
- Slide the bedpan until it fits next to the patient's buttocks. The slit end of the bedpan is facing the patient's feet.
- Help the patient carefully to return to his back and sit on the bedpan. Hold the bedpan close to the patient's body while he is moving.
Step 6. Raise the headboard
Slowly raise the head of the bed so that the patient is sitting on the toilet.
Step 7. Make sure the potty position is correct
Ask the patient to open the groin slightly so you can confirm the position of the bedpan.
In essence, you need to make sure the bedpan fits all over the patient's buttocks
Step 8. Provide tissues
Place the tissue within the patient's reach. Inform the patient that there is a tissue nearby.
- You will also need to provide wet wipes for the patient's hands.
- Also provide a call cord, bell, or the like near the patient. Tell the patient to call with the device when finished.
Step 9. Leave the patient
Provide privacy for the patient while using the bedpan. Make sure that you check back in a few minutes, but also let him know that he can ring you if you finish early.
DO NOT leave the patient if there is a risk of harm
Part 3 of 3: Getting Rid of the Potty
Step 1. Wash your hands and put on new gloves
Once you leave the patient, it is best to remove gloves and wash your hands.
It may still be a few minutes before you return to the patient. Before that, wash your hands again and put on new disposable gloves
Step 2. Hurry back
Immediately go to the patient as soon as there are signs.
- Bring a basin of warm water, soap, tissue, and a clean cloth when you return.
- If it's been 5-10 minutes the patient has not given a sign, come back to see the situation. Check every few minutes.
Step 3. Lower the headboard
Lower the head of the bed as low as possible, but do not make the patient uncomfortable.
This position will make it easier for the patient to move from the bedpan
Step 4. Help the patient move from the bedpan
If the patient had been able to raise his hips, he could do it again this time. If you needed to help him sleep on his side, now you need to roll him off the potty.
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If the patient can elevate the hip:
- Ask the patient to bend the knee.
- Ask the patient to raise his lower body. Place your hands on his lower back for light support.
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If the patient cannot elevate the hip:
- Hold the potty flat on the bed.
- At the same time, turn the patient over so that he sleeps on his side with his back to you.
Step 5. Pull out the potty
Withdraw the bedpan and allow the patient to return to rest.
- Be careful while working and try not to rub the bedpan against the patient's skin when pulled.
- Cover the potty with a towel and set it aside.
Step 6. Help the patient clean up
See if the patient is able to clean himself or not. If not, please help.
- Clean the patient's hands with a damp, soapy cloth or with a wet tissue.
- Clean the patient's lower body with a tissue. Especially for female patients, wipe the genitals from front to back to reduce the risk of urinary tract contamination from bacteria from the rectum.
Step 7. Clean the patient's resting area
When the patient is clean, remove the waterproof layer or towel.
- If there is a spill or contamination, you must change the patient's bed linen and hospital gown/gown immediately.
- If the patient's room smells, it's better to spray air freshener.
Step 8. Help the patient return to a comfortable position
Assist the patient to return to a comfortable resting position.
If necessary, adjust the height of the bed (head, bottom, or both) to make it more comfortable for the patient
Step 9. Observe and record the contents of the potty
Take the potty to the bathroom and see what's inside.
- Watch for anything unusual, for example, red, black, or green patches, as well as mucus or signs of diarrhea.
- If necessary, measure and record the contents.
Step 10. Remove the dirt
Go to the toilet and flush the toilet.
Step 11. Clean the potty or replace it with a new one
Unless you are using a disposable potty, it should be cleaned thoroughly before storing it again.
- Rinse in bedpan with cold water. Throw the water down the toilet.
- Scrub the bedpan with a brush and cold soapy water. Rinse again with cold water and flush the water down the toilet.
- Dry the potty and store it in its place when you're done.
Step 12. Wash your hands
Remove gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and soap.
- Wash your hands for at least a minute or so.
- Once everything is clean, you can return the room to its original state by opening the curtains, windows, and doors that were closed during the procedure.
