When a patient uses a bedpan, promote comfort and normalcy and respect the patient’s privacy as much as possible. Be sure to maintain a professional manner. In addition, provide skin care and perineal hygiene after bedpan use Regular bedpans have a rounded, smooth upper end and a tapered, open lower end. The upper end fits under the patient’s buttocks toward the sacrum, with the open end toward the foot of the bed . A special bedpan called a fracture bedpan is frequently used for patients with fractures of the femur or lower spine Fracture bedpan - used for patients with fractures of the femur or lower spine. The fracture pan has a shallow, narrow upper end with a flat wide rim, and a deeper, open lower end. The upper end fits under the patient’s buttocks toward the sacrum, with the deeper, open lower end toward the foot of the bed. Ordinary Bedpan EQUIPMENTS Bedpan (regular or fracture) Toilet tissue Disposable clean gloves Additional PPE, as indicated Cover for bedpan or urinal (disposable waterproof pad or cover) ASSESSMENT Assess the patient’s normal elimination habits. Determine why the patient needs to use a bedpan (e.g., a medical order for strict bed rest or immobilization). Assess the patient’s degree of limitation and ability to help with activity. Assess for activity limitations, such as hip surgery or spinal injury, which would contraindicate certain actions by the patient. Check for the presence of drains, dressings, intravenous fluid infusion sites/equipment, traction, or any other devices that could interfere with the patient’s ability to help with the procedure or that could become dislodged. Assess the characteristics of the urine and the patient’s skin Assisting With Use of a Bedpan When the Patient Has Limited Movement Patients who are unable to lift themselves onto the bedpan or who have activity limitations that prohibit the required actions can be assisted onto the bedpan in an alternate manner using these actions

1. ASSISTING WITH THE USE
OF BEDPAN
BY
ANUSHRI SRIVASTAVA
CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR

2. INTRODUCTION
 When a patient uses a bedpan, promote comfort and
normalcy and respect the patient’s privacy as much as
possible. Be sure to maintain a professional manner. In
addition, provide skin care and perineal hygiene after bedpan
use.

3.  Regular bedpans have a rounded, smooth upper end and a
tapered, open lower end. The upper end fits under the
patient’s buttocks toward the sacrum, with the open end
toward the foot of the bed
 . A special bedpan called a fracture bedpan is frequently used
for patients with fractures of the femur or lower spine

4. TYPES OF BEDPAN
1. Fracture bedpan - used for patients with fractures of the
femur or lower spine. The fracture pan has a shallow, narrow
upper end with a flat wide rim, and a deeper, open lower
end. The upper end fits under the patient’s buttocks toward
the sacrum, with the deeper, open lower end toward the foot
of the bed.
2. Ordinary Bedpan

5. EQUIPMENTS
 Bedpan (regular or fracture)
 Toilet tissue
 Disposable clean gloves
 Additional PPE, as indicated
 Cover for bedpan or urinal (disposable waterproof pad or
cover)

6. ASSESSMENT
 Assess the patient’s normal elimination habits.
 Determine why the patient needs to use a bedpan (e.g., a medical order for strict
bed rest or immobilization).
 Assess the patient’s degree of limitation and ability to help with activity.
 Assess for activity limitations, such as hip surgery or spinal injury, which would
contraindicate certain actions by the patient.
 Check for the presence of drains, dressings, intravenous fluid infusion
sites/equipment, traction, or any other devices that could interfere with the
patient’s ability to help with the procedure or that could become dislodged.
 Assess the characteristics of the urine and the patient’s skin.

7. PROCEDURE
ACTION RATIONALE
1. Review the patient’s chart for any limitations
in physical activity.
Activity limitations may contraindicate certain
actions by the patient.
2. Bring bedpan and other necessary
equipment to the bedside stand or overbed
table.
Bringing everything to the bedside conserves
time and energy. Arranging items nearby is
convenient, saves time, and avoids
unnecessary stretching and twisting of muscles
on the part of the nurse
3. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if
indicated.
Hand hygiene and PPE prevent the spread of
microorganisms. PPE is required based on
transmission precautions

8. ACTION RATIONALE
4. Identify the patient Identifying the patient ensures the right patient
receives the intervention and helps prevent errors.
5. Close curtains around bed and close the door to
the room, if possible. Discuss the procedure with the
patient and assess the patient’s ability to assist with
the procedure, as well as personal hygiene
preferences
This ensures the patient’s privacy. This discussion
promotes reassurance and provides knowledge
about the procedure. Dialogue encourages patient
participation and allows for individualized nursing
care
6. Unless contraindicated, apply powder to the rim
of the bedpan. Place bedpan and cover on chair next
to bed. Put on gloves
Powder helps keep the bedpan from sticking to the
patient’s skin and makes it easier to remove. Powder
is not applied if the patient has respiratory
problems, is allergic to powder, or if a urine
specimen is needed (could contaminate the
specimen). The bedpan on the chair allows for easy
access. Gloves prevent contact with blood and body
fluids

9. ACTION RATIONALE
7. Adjust bed to comfortable working
height, usually elbow height of the
caregiver . Place the patient in a supine
position, with the head of the bed elevated
about 30 degrees, unless contraindicated.
Having the bed at the proper height
prevents back and muscle strain. Supine
position is necessary for correct placement
of patient on bedpan
8. Fold top linen back just enough to allow
placement of bedpan. If there is no
waterproof pad on the bed and time allows,
consider placing a waterproof pad under
patient’s buttocks before placing bedpan
Folding back the linen in this manner
minimizes unnecessary exposure while still
allowing the nurse to place the bedpan.
The waterproof pad will protect the bed
should there be a spill.

10. ACTION RATIONALE
9. Ask the patient to bend the knees. Have
the patient lift his or her hips upward.
Assist patient, if necessary, by placing your
hand that is closest to the patient palm up,
under the lower back, and assist with
lifting. Slip the bedpan into place with
other hand
The nurse uses less energy when the
patient can assist by placing some of his
or her weight on the heels
10. Ensure that bedpan is in proper
position and patient’s buttocks are resting
on the rounded shelf of the regular
bedpan or the shallow rim of the fracture
bedpan.
Having the bedpan in the proper position
prevents spills onto the bed, ensures
patient comfort, and prevents injury to the
skin from a misplaced bedpan.

11. ACTION RATIONALE
11. Raise head of bed as near to sitting
position as tolerated, unless
contraindicated. Cover the patient with
bed linens
This position makes it easier for the
patient to void or defecate, avoids strain
on the patient’s back, and allows gravity to
aid in elimination. Covering promotes
warmth and privacy.
12. Place call bell and toilet tissue within
easy reach. Place the bed in the lowest
position. Leave patient if it is safe to do so.
Use side rails appropriately
Falls can be prevented if the patient does
not have to reach for items he or she
needs. Placing the bed in the lowest
position promotes patient safety. Leaving
the patient alone, if possible, promotes
self-esteem and shows respect for privacy.
Side rails assist the patient in
repositioning.

12. ACTION RATIONALE
13. Remove gloves and additional PPE, if
used. Perform hand hygiene.
Proper removal of PPE prevents
transmission of microorganisms. Hand
hygiene deters the spread of
microorganisms.
14. Perform hand hygiene and put on
gloves and additional PPE, as indicated.
Adjust bed to comfortable working height,
usually elbow height of the caregiver. Have
a receptacle, such as plastic trash bag,
handy for discarding tissue.
Hand hygiene deters the spread of
microorganisms. Gloves prevent exposure
to blood and body fluids. Having the bed
at the proper height prevents back and
muscle strain. Proper disposal of soiled
tissue prevents transmission of
microorganisms

13. ACTION RATIONALE
15.Lower the head of the bed, if necessary, to
about 30 degrees. Remove bedpan in the same
manner in which it was offered, being careful to
hold it steady. Ask the patient to bend the knees
and lift the buttocks up from the bedpan. Assist
patient, if necessary, by placing your hand that is
closest to the patient palm up, under the lower
back, and assist with lifting. Place the bedpan on
the bedside chair and cover it
Holding the bedpan steady prevents spills. The
nurse uses less energy when the patient can assist
by placing some of his or her weight on the heels.
Covering the bedpan helps to prevent the spread
of microorganisms
16. If patient needs assistance with hygiene, wrap
tissue around the hand several times, and wipe
patient clean, using one stroke from the pubic area
toward the anal area. Discard tissue, and use more
until patient is clean. Place patient on his or her
side and spread buttocks to clean anal area.
Cleaning area from front to back minimizes fecal
contamination of the vagina and urinary meatus.
Cleaning the patient after he or she has used the
bedpan prevents offensive odors and irritation to
the skin.

14. ACTION RATIONALE
17. Do not place toilet tissue in the bedpan if a
specimen is required or if output is being recorded.
Place toilet tissue in appropriate receptacle
Mixing toilet tissue with a specimen makes
laboratory examination more difficult and
interferes with accurate output measurement.
18. Return the patient to a comfortable position.
Make sure the linens under the patient are dry.
Replace or remove pad under the patient, as
necessary. Remove your gloves and ensure that the
patient is covered.
Positioning helps to promote patient comfort.
Removing contaminated gloves prevents spread of
microorganisms.
19. Raise side rail. Lower bed height and adjust
head of bed to a comfortable position. Reattach
call bell
These actions promote patient safety.
20. Offer patient supplies to wash and dry his or
her hands, assisting as necessary
Washing hands after using the urinal helps prevent
the spread of microorganisms.
21. Put on clean gloves. Empty and clean the
bedpan, measuring urine in graduated container,
as necessary. Discard trash receptacle with used
toilet paper per facility policy.
Gloves prevent exposure to blood and body fluids.
Cleaning reusable equipment helps prevent the
spread of microorganisms

15. ACTION RATIONALE
22. Remove additional PPE, if used. Perform hand
hygiene.
Removing PPE properly reduces the risk for
infection transmission and contamination of other
items. Hand hygiene prevents the spread of
microorganisms
23. Document and reporting
Document the patient’s tolerance of the activity.
Record the amount of urine voided on the intake
and output record, if appropriate. Document any
other assessments, such as unusual urine
characteristics or alterations in the patient’s skin

17. Assisting With Use of a Bedpan When the
Patient Has Limited Movement
 Patients who are unable to lift themselves onto the bedpan
or who have activity limitations that prohibit the required
actions can be assisted onto the bedpan in an alternate
manner using these actions

18. ACTION
1. Discuss procedure with the patient and assess the patient’s ability to assist with the procedure, as
well as personal hygiene preferences. Review chart for any limitations in physical activity
2. Bring bedpan and other necessary equipment to bedside. Put on PPE, as indicated and perform hand
hygiene. Check the patient’s identification band.
3. Unless contraindicated, apply powder to the rim of the bedpan.
4. Place bedpan and cover on chair next to bed. Close curtains around bed and close the door to the
room, if possible.
5. Adjust bed to comfortable working height, usually elbow height of the caregiver. Place the patient in
a supine position, with the head of the bed elevated about 30 degrees, unless contraindicated. Put on
disposable gloves.
6. Fold top linen just enough to turn the patient, while minimizing exposure. If there is no waterproof
pad on the bed and time allows, consider placing a waterproof pad under patient’s buttocks before
placing bedpan
7. Assist the patient to roll to the opposite side or turn the patient into a side-lying position.

19. ACTION
8. Hold the bedpan firmly against the patient’s buttocks, with the upper end of the bedpan under the
patient’s buttocks toward the sacrum, and down into the mattress
9. Keep one hand against the bedpan. Apply gentle pressure to ensure the bedpan remains in place as
you assist the patient to roll back onto the bedpan
10. Ensure that bedpan is in proper position and the patient’s buttocks are resting on rounded shelf of
the regular bedpan or the shallow rim of the fracture bedpan.
11. Raise the head of bed as near to sitting position as tolerated, unless contraindicated. Cover the
patient with bed linens.
12. Place call bell and toilet tissue within easy reach. Place the bed in the lowest position. Leave
patient if it is safe to do so. Use side rails appropriately
13. Remove gloves, and PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene
14. To remove the bedpan, perform hand hygiene and put on disposable gloves, and additional PPE,
as indicated. Raise the bed to a comfortable working height. Have a receptacle handy for discarding
tissue

20. ACTION
15. . Lower the head of the bed. Grasp the closest side of the bedpan. Apply gentle pressure to hold the bedpan
flat and steady. Assist the patient to roll to the opposite side or turn the patient into a side-lying position with the
assistance of a second caregiver. Remove the bedpan and set on chair. Cover the bedpan
16. Wrap tissue around the hand several times, and wipe patient clean, using one stroke from the pubic area
toward the anal area. Discard tissue in an appropriate receptacle, and use more until patient is clean. Do not place
toilet tissue in the bedpan if a specimen is required or if output is being recorded. Spread buttocks to clean anal
area
17. Return the patient to a comfortable position. Make sure the linens under the patient are dry and that the
patient is covered
18. Remove your gloves. Offer patient supplies to wash and dry his or her hands, assisting as necessary
19. Raise side rail. Lower bed height and adjust head of bed to a comfortable position. Reattach call bell.
20. Put on clean gloves. Empty and clean the bedpan, measuring urine in graduated container, as necessary.
Remove gloves and additional PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene

21. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Erbs and Kozier. Fundamental of Nursing Concepts, Process and Practice. Edition
VIII: USA
 Lynn Pamela. Taylors Clinical Nursing Skills- A Nursing Process approach. Edition
III: wolters Kluwer health