Bedpan Changing Question

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I have a quick question regarding bedpan changes before my nursing clinical tomorrow. We have private patient rooms with a very tight bathroom with just a toilet and sink. I was wondering what to do with a bowel movement when cleaning. First, does that count as an output measurement. And secondly, where would you clean out the bedpan or BSC at? I feel like it would be really unsanitary carrying it all the way to the supply room and punching the code in with clean gloves on. I don't want people to get the wrong idea that I'm wearing soiled gloves. Also, I wouldn't want to wash it out in the patient's sink. Oh and is toilet paper okay for wiping. The head management heavily stressed we only use three wipes per patient. Is toilet paper sufficient as well? Any advice from your guys' experience? Thanks!

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
hospital-0522_061854.jpgThese are what I was talking about in my comment about the "sprayers"...

beware of splashing. Those sprayers can be strong. Just saying!

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I had a related issue at work yesterday, where my patient wouldn't stop stooling and I had to just leave them wrapped in a plastic chux for a while before I could re-diaper them.

It made me wonder...

What happens when it's a patient who is just having continuous liquid stool every time you try to change them? How will I know when my 3-wipe-count is reset back to zero?

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Specializes in CVICU.

I use a blue pad to line the bedpan and just throw the pad away and reuse the bedpan later. If poop gets all over the bedpan, I honestly just throw it away. I would rather use more supplies than risking poop splashing all over me while I try to wash it under the toilet attachment.

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Specializes in nursing education.
"Sorry you still have some poop stuck to you, Mrs. Boots. I've already used three wipes to clean you with and using a 4th would risk putting the hospital out of business. You'll just have to wait until you poop again later."

I am laughing so hard I think I am going to die!!!

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

Just chart, "Houston, there is a problem. Massive bm everywhere. Used three wipes but could not get it all. Used scrub top to wipe up more. Poo still all over, even in ears. Have placed consult for additional wipes." They'll never restrict wipes again.

Yeah the toilet paper idea is awesome!

On another note, whichever dimwit bean counters who came up with the "3 wipes you're out" idea clearly never worked as a bedside nurse or aide.

Not all poop is created equal! Some is sticky, some is watery. Some is pasty and some is soft. And heaven help you if the poor patient has diarrhea and or C. diff. :eek:

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

PS, that was a joke. Don't do that.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
But the head nurses in upper management, it was stressed very heavily. It's a nonprofit hospital

If it was a for-profit hospital, you'd only get 1.5 wipes per person.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
OK, so I completely misread the three wipes. I thought it meant literally 3 wipes. Not 3 wiping cloths. I picured 1,2,3 wipes your done!

Think time-management!

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
:eek: at having to walk down the hall!!!! I've worked in 2 ICUs but both had a toilet w a curtain in each room, w the sprayer. Personally I'd just chuck the whole full bedpan into the trash. The majority of our pts are sedated and incontinent anyway, but we do have a fair amount awake with loose stools, either from tubefeeds or multiple abx, or lactulose... no way in hades I'd risk spilling a pan of that on myself. Not to mention infection control. Really, what if it's undiagnosed (or known) C. diff???? :barf02:

Anyway to the OP, good suggestions so far!

If by chance the wipes police are out issuing citations for empty containers :sarcastic: or your CI says something about it, you could use washcloths and water. Just be careful if it's fragile skin, blot don't scrub, etc. because terrycloth is a bit rougher. My hospital uses these barrier cream impregnated wipes, which seem to spread the stool around rather than clean it off. :barf02:

In the olden days we used wet washcloths. Have the hamper at the bedside, and a basin of soapy water. Each cloth gets used once, then dropped into the hamper. Do not put a poopy cloth back into your clean wash water. This was before wipes were invented and we were seldom hassled by the Washcloth Police.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Three wipe per patient limit....after the day I had today....I am SO FIRED!

"May I wipe your bum a fourth time? I have time."

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