Bedpan? Why not a Poise pad?

[TryVeganToday]

I work on a med/surge unit and all day long, men can lay in perfect comfort to urinate in a convenient urinal. But WOMEN with horrible injuries have to be rolled to the side in extreme pain then have to sit on a bedpan and basically pee all over themselves anyway. We even put paper chucks on TOP of the bed pans because the bedpan just sticks to their skin and we cant get it out especially with heavy women. For a women to pee, we easily will use 2 full chucks and if a drop of urine makes it way on to the sheets, we have to do a bed change too.

Please tell me why we just dont hand them a Poise pad or even a toddler's pampers diaper to urinate easily, cleanly and comfortably? I have used both in emergency situations and they work AMAZING!!! Why O why are we still using bedpans for women?!?!?!

[mvm2]

Are you serious. Poise pads will not hold a full emptying of a bladder. A pad will assuredly make everything wet. From the gown, bed, and the person themselves.

Having a bed pan no matter how uncomfy is a ton better then feeling someone peeing all over themselves.

[TryVeganToday]

Ok, so if we are talking about a capacity issue, baby diapers are filled with crystals that absorb massive amounts of urine. Anyone who has changed an overnight diaper that weights like 3 pounds understands what I am talking about. I just feel that there must be a better product and more comfortable way for women to urinate when they have 2 broken hips, a broken arm and 2 cracked vertebras.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

Ok, so if we are talking about a capacity issue, baby diapers are filled with crystals that absorb massive amounts of urine. Anyone who has changed an overnight diaper that weights like 3 pounds understands what I am talking about. I just feel that there must be a better product and more comfortable way for women to urinate when they have 2 broken hips, a broken arm and 2 cracked vertebras.

if a person has this many injuries, then you should be inserting a catheter.

As for poise pads vs bedpans, well the next time you need pee, use a diaper instead of a toilet and let us know the result

[amoLucia]

OK - you're telling me you think it's all right for an adult woman to voluntarily (or involuntarily) pee herself??? Where's DIGNITY in that?

As someone with OAB who uses POISE pads (or the other various brands on the market) they are NOT the be all - end all problem solver purported to be. The absorbency capacity does vary, most esp when lying down. (And just using a super-duper size doesn't make any difference.) Wetness against the skin must be quickly addressed else 'urine burn' and 'diaper rash' like issues can occur. Urine odor is also a problem. Pads have an elastic 'stretch' side binding that can cut & chafe. And it makes a difference if the wearer is a 'large' sized woman.

Regardless of the problems, it is desired that the pt maintain whatever urinary continency ability she has. To encourage 'just letting it go' DOES NOT maintain continency. When that pt goes home, what's she do - 'pee' the couch or bed all the time?!?!? How about she visit YOUR house and sit on your couch?

As I said, where's DIGNITY when you've reduced the adult pt to the level of an UN-toilet trained toddler?

There are no easy answers to the bedpan dilemma. Use chux, use a small 'fracture' pan and try dusting the bedpan (or pt 'tush') LIGHTLY with some powder.

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

To me.. the chux over the bedpan makes it worse, the urine has to roll off not stay down and in. Slather on some barrier cream (lotion or lube) right on the top of the pan, and it rarely sticks even with the heaviest of patients, in a pinch I have used ABD pads on the top of the pan. I would say my female patients are successful on a bedpan 90% of the time. Triple chux under the pan, another staff member to help the patient roll ALL THE WAY over, and hold the pan while they lay back, then sit the head of the bed up like they are sitting on the pan. Premedicate pain medication if you can.

Yes urination is another thing that is harder for women than it is for men; however I passionately believe briefs (not "diapers") should be used in incontinence situations only, not for staff convenience.

[TryVeganToday]

Oh no, I am not saying give them one then just walk away like putting them in a diaper and letting them lay in it, that is insane. I am thinking more like this... There ARE female urinals, but when you have to be flat gravity is your enemy and the urine doesnt flow down and stay down. Like a modification of the urinal that could hold a pad or even absorbent crystals preventing it from backflowing.

Seriously, I am OCD when it comes to cleanliness of patients and making sure they are as comfortable, clean and dry as possible. I only tried asking this board because I have had 2 patients this week ask for something other than a bedpan and I came into a room where a mother DID use her visiting baby's diaper to pee in and we laughed that it was kinda a good idea.

and lastly, wow... really quick to attack, I was under the impression that asking a simple question I would get some ideas from experienced nurses... Maybe I should just look someplace else.

[TryVeganToday]

Thanks for the idea with the barrier cream! I will try that next time.

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the idea with the barrier cream! I will try that next time.

You are welcome!

[mvm2]

Well sorry for jumping to conclusions but you have to explain things better. You did say in your first post just hand them a pad or diaper.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

I know what you mean. The cardiac cath pts are so upset when we pull out the bedpan. It's painful, and when we pull it out, their bottoms are all wet, and they hate that feeling. I hope some RNs will jump in and provide other ideas.

[AnthonyD]

Have you looked into the option of female urinals? Could be a good option for your patients.