Proper Bedpan Positioning: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals

A bedpan is a helpful device that enables a person to urinate or eliminate waste while in bed. Often, bedpans are used by senior citizens and people who cannot walk due to illness or injury. The most common types of bedpans are the standard, fracture and disposable varieties. Standard bedpans are usually made of heavy-duty plastic and can be cleaned and reused. Fracture bedpans are constructed the same as standard bedpans except that they are custom-designed for fracture patients. Both standard and fracture bedpans are designed to be convenient and comfortable when used properly.

Things You'll Need

• Disposable gloves
• Waterproof mattress pad
• Bedpan

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands and put on a pair of disposable nursing gloves for sanitary purposes.

• 2

  Place a waterproof mattress pad on the bed in case of an accident.

• 3

  Roll the patient onto her side and position the bedpan against her buttocks.

• 4

  Hold onto the bedpan with one hand and gently roll the patient onto his back so that the buttocks are resting on the bedpan.

• 5

  Support the patient's back and gently guide her into the sitting position. The patient is now ready to urinate or have an elimination.