Incontinent Briefs

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I was curious as to why there is such a difference in the quality of adult incontinent briefs (depents, attends) compared to infant diapers. The adult briefs are plastic on the outside, make noise when people walk, and leak. The tabs are only good to use one time. So if you undo the tab to use the bathroom, and the briefs are still dry, you need to change them. However, infant diapers are nice and soft, dont leak like the adult briefs, arent noisy, the tabs can be redone (velcro) and appear to be more comfortable looking. This just seems unfair to me! Why can't adult briefs be just as nice? :o It was an observation of mine, and was wondering if anyone else noticed that.

The answer is simple: $$$$$$$$$$$$

They are terrible. I almost never put them on my patients, I think those cheap ones to more harm than good.

Amanda

The brand we use are more cloth-y and they are the cheap brand.

Mandana....how do you get away from not using the briefs? you are not in LTC huh?

I just put chux pads down. I think the briefs really hasten skin breakdown. I'm not in LTC, this is just on med/surg floors.

Amanda

we use tena and they are absolute crap. end of story actually did ya know that they are "supposed" to hold 3 liters of fluid sooooooooo if they are only just a little wet ya can just slap that puppy right back on :stone

Most LTC's don't believe this but the truth is that it is cheaper to buy the higher quality, more expensive briefs. The better quality the more they will wick the urine away from the skin, control the pH balance, and the tabs reseal like an infants brief. Combine the better brief with a good quality skin cleanser and protective barrier and now these facilities have few to no acquired pressure ulcers. Much cheaper than paying for expensive treatments and nursing care to heal a pressre ulcer.

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Not to mention it cuts down on dirty laundry, which costs money.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
I just put chux pads down. I think the briefs really hasten skin breakdown. I'm not in LTC, this is just on med/surg floors.

Amanda

I don't think this is true. I think the real problem is some tech's (not any of the one's on here of course) will leave diapers on too long and skip rounds and not change residents or patients that really need it. The diapers stay on too long and the urine and feces are in contact with the skin. They think because it is contained in the diaper, that they can leave them on. I personally think it is ridiculous to leave a person lying on a wet pad. To me that's like lying in a wet bed. The diaper will absorb if you change it often enough--this may not be two hours for everyone either. Also, especially in LTC, the entire bed get's wet and the sheets, the gown, the pillowcase sometimes with men. Oh and don't get me started on men who somehow miss the diaper entirely. Bottom line is, change, dry and wash often and there will be no problem.

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I think the real problem is some tech's (not any of the one's on here of course) will leave diapers on too long and skip rounds and not change residents or patients that really need it. The diapers stay on too long and the urine and feces are in contact with the skin. They think because it is contained in the diaper, that they can leave them on.

I personally haven't known any techs that do this. I know a few nurses that think diaper=less changing.

However, i've seen resident go DAYs wearing briefs, and never having them off. It wouldn't hurt to at least put the thing on a little loose at night to allow some air to circulate.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
I personally haven't known any techs that do this. I know a few nurses that think diaper=less changing.

However, i've seen resident go DAYs wearing briefs, and never having them off. It wouldn't hurt to at least put the thing on a little loose at night to allow some air to circulate.

I have known plenty unfortunatly. I agree that sometimes it is good to let the bottom air out if there is a pressure sore or a rash.

I don't think this is true. I think the real problem is some tech's (not any of the one's on here of course) will leave diapers on too long and skip rounds and not change residents or patients that really need it. The diapers stay on too long and the urine and feces are in contact with the skin. They think because it is contained in the diaper, that they can leave them on. I personally think it is ridiculous to leave a person lying on a wet pad. To me that's like lying in a wet bed. The diaper will absorb if you change it often enough--this may not be two hours for everyone either. Also, especially in LTC, the entire bed get's wet and the sheets, the gown, the pillowcase sometimes with men. Oh and don't get me started on men who somehow miss the diaper entirely. Bottom line is, change, dry and wash often and there will be no problem.

From what little I've seen, and I am by no means an expert, just a very observant student, it is inevitable that people are in their briefs (wet and/or soiled) for entirely too long and they do develop skin breakdown. It can be extremely difficult to change a brief on someone that is largely immobile, to me, it's better if they are on pads - even if you have to change the entire bed and their gown (which has never been my experience) it can be easier than maneuvering someone into the brief. It's also much harder to ignore, tends to get done more often. Also, I really believe that the plastic lining on the briefs promotes skin breakdown. Like I said, I'm no expert, just a student, and it's just my observation.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
From what little I've seen, and I am by no means an expert, just a very observant student, it is inevitable that people are in their briefs (wet and/or soiled) for entirely too long and they do develop skin breakdown. It can be extremely difficult to change a brief on someone that is largely immobile, to me, it's better if they are on pads - even if you have to change the entire bed and their gown (which has never been my experience) it can be easier than maneuvering someone into the brief. It's also much harder to ignore, tends to get done more often. Also, I really believe that the plastic lining on the briefs promotes skin breakdown. Like I said, I'm no expert, just a student, and it's just my observation.

You are absolutely correct, some patients are better off on just a pad. I always put patients on whatever works best with them and if a person needs changing more often than every two hours I do so. I have been a tech for 3 years and I have yet to NOT have a person lie in bed on just a pad and not wet their gown and their sheets and sometimes the linens underneath. Some people just pee weird. I have patients who hold their legs together and the urine sits on their legs and gets the sheets wet and it irritates their skin. When we put a diaper on them, this eliminates this. I just don't see how sleeping in a wet bed is comfortable. If I ever need to wear one, I'd just want to be changed and washed as often as I need it. Oh, and I hate how if the sheets, gown etc all get wet that we have to roll the person more and disturb their sleep. If they have on a diaper, I can check them and clean them quickly and not have to get more sheets and pull everything off their bed, not to mention the fact that I usually have to wash their legs and back and not just their butt. I would just rather it be quick and let them get back to sleep. I should mention I work strickly the overnight shift, so maybe that makes a difference in my opinion and take on the situation.

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