I learned something cool! little tricks to make life easier

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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So I was having this huge issue with the bedpan with one particular resident. He calls for it a lot and often doesn't go. But when he does, man look out! It's huge, loose and you can NEVER get it out of the pan! So I was just throwing the whole thing away.

Another aide told me the best trick! Put a plastic can liner over the bedpan, stuff it down in the inside and use it that way. Then when I remove the pan, I can turn the bag inside out, toss in the wipes and be done with the whole process! Amazing!!!

I love stuff like that! And when I told the aides on my new floor, they were amazed the newby had some great trick they didn't know :D What do you pass on that makes your life easier?

I never heard of this trick - but I will keep it in mind. Thanks ;)

Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CCU, Alzheimers, Med-Surg.

That's a great trick, I hate cleaning out BM in bedpans!

OOOOOOOOOHHHHhhhhhhh! I love that trick! :D:up:I don't like rinsing out bedpans- it can get so messy!

Specializes in LTC.

good idea!

My only "trick" is making a mobile station thingie for 10pm rounds, when everyone is in bed. I take a 2-bay laundry cart and line one side with a huge black trash bag and wheel that around with me. I put a box of gloves, bottle of hand sanitizer, and bag of soapy washcloths on top and I have everything I need.

good idea!

My only "trick" is making a mobile station thingie for 10pm rounds, when everyone is in bed. I take a 2-bay laundry cart and line one side with a huge black trash bag and wheel that around with me. I put a box of gloves, bottle of hand sanitizer, and bag of soapy washcloths on top and I have everything I need.

How do you keep the soapy washcloths warm? I know alot of residents get very upset if their soapies are cold- and I certainly can't blame them! LOL!

Specializes in LTC.

as long as the bag is closed they take an awfully long time to cool off. I don't think they've ever gone cold on me except the other night when all my residents pooped or puked in their beds and my last rounds took FOREVER.

as long as the bag is closed they take an awfully long time to cool off. I don't think they've ever gone cold on me except the other night when all my residents pooped or puked in their beds and my last rounds took FOREVER.

:) Good ta know! I'll have to try that.

Sorry the other night was so..... ya know, there's not even a word for that ROFL! ;) Wow. You've definately earned the Poop Patrol award!

Specializes in assisted living & memory care.

the only trick i know how to do is change a depend without taking the pants off. one time i did it and this other aid who has been doing this kind of works for years was blown away. lol i also like to put a bunch of bags in the trash, that way when i come back next time i dont have to keep replacing the plastic bag. while i dont have to deal with bed pans, that defiently a good idea!!!

How do you keep the soapy washcloths warm? I know alot of residents get very upset if their soapies are cold- and I certainly can't blame them! LOL!

We would take a tray table, cover it with a towel. Get a bath basin and put water in it from a faucet that gave the hottest water in the building and mix in soap. Then a pile of wash cloths would go in the basin and we would wrap the basin with a couple of towels. If the water cooled down too much we would replenish the hot water. We would push this table from room to room along with the big laundry baskets as we did rounds. One of the CNAs showed me her special "burrito wrap" method to save the bed during the night. She wrapped up the resident nice and snug like a burrito with well placed diapers and a draw sheet wrapped around. This contained everything when they were incontinent during the night. We also worked in pairs to make things easier and cut down on the time it took for rounds. Another thing we did was to combine both of our breaks and lunch period to make for a one hour break. Most would take a nap. The other person would relieve the first person. Nurses didn't mind people doing this as long as people came back from their break on time and the call lights were answered by those not on break.

Specializes in LTC.

I'm totally going to use the bag method for this woman who uses a commode 475769478 times a night. Her poop NEVER comes out the bottom! And she sprays the sides with poo too. You have to rinse it 700 times and then finally wipe it out with a roll of TP. And then an hour later she's crying for it again. She refuses to use the bathroom and instead prefers to stink up the room so her roommate has to smell it.

How do you change a brief without taking the pants off? I can do it with one leg still in the pants...

One of my "tips" for heavy wetters is to make a few pad/chux rolls in the beginning of the shift and line them up at the foot of the bed. under the sheet. Then when the person wets I have a ready-made replacement. It just makes things easier and saves you a couple minutes.

I also get everything ready for HS care when I take down beds. I get the basin out with all their supplies, including oral care stuff, and the pajamas and slippers and washcloths and place it at the end of the bed. I also put a pillow according to whatever side the person is supposed to be laying on so I don't have to check because they're all on different repo schedules.

Thats an interesting trick!

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