briefs or diapers

OpusNurse · Apr 8, 2009

I think it also depends on whether the pt is up moving around and wearing clothing or in the bed in a hospital gown. I actually refer to them as diapers in that case which is accross the board if our pts wear them in
IMCU. Often times we have trauma patients who we don't even use them on because getting them off and on them is harder on the patient than just cleaning them up. I have unfortunately had to explain to some that they should just go ahead and go as getting them on the bedpan is too hard on them, it means some extra rolling. I always check and get the clean up done quickly as possible so they don't have to lay in it. This can be a really difficult issue for trauma patients who are cognitively in tact.
Mahage

I'm sorry but your post is rather disconcerting. 1. We were taught NEVER call them diapers even if the patient does. Briefs, britches, depends, underwear, anything but diapers. By doing so, we can raise the pt's self esteem up a notch even a tiny notch is better than nothing.

2. If the patient can say "I need a bed pan, they get a bed pan" It's thier dignity, not the amount of work I want to do that decides. If they don't want to take the rolling, they won't ask for it.

3. Bed ridden patients that can say "I need a bedpan" can also have an OPEN brief under them if they want, if ever they cannot get the bedpan fast enough, or feel that they cannot take the movement of getting a bed pan. At least they still have the dignity of knowing they didn't mess the bed.

I wouldn't dream of telling a patient that having the bedpan would be too hard on them, unless the doctor's order is "do not put this person on a bed pan" which in nursing reads "this patient is bed ridden, and cannot have a bedpan, therefore, this person is to have a depends, which will be changed when patient asks or when soiled, not when the accountant or your coffee breaks dictate"

Bottom line (pardon the pun) - Dignity dictates!

WoofyMutt80 · Apr 8, 2009

I used to put a towel and a chux (not a Chuck, Chuck is my cousin!) for double protection under bedridden incontinent pts. This was due to multiple bed changes and the lack of the proper amount of bedsheets given to us. All we had to do is change the pt, and the chux and towel. But it didnt work sometimes because we had one pt 400lbs and bedridden and she had the screaming runny sh**s and it got everywhere and it took 4 people to clean her and the bed. Doing a total bed change with a non compliant 400 lb bedridden person was not fun!

PICNICRN, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

Working with kids, I've been known to call them "Hospital Pants"- no 6 year old wants to wear a diaper either!

Sometimes after they are extubated and come out of their sedation haze- they will ask "Am I wearing a diaper?'

We just say "No way, diapers are for babies! Those are special hospital pants just in case you had an accident while you were sleepy.":D

jschut, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

Working with kids, I've been known to call them "Hospital Pants"- no 6 year old wants to wear a diaper either!
Sometimes after they are extubated and come out of their sedation haze- they will ask "Am I wearing a diaper?'
We just say "No way, diapers are for babies! Those are special hospital pants just in case you had an accident while you were sleepy.":D

Aww.... that's so cool to say that!

Anyway~ I always say "briefs". Diaper IS demeaning....

Mahage, LPN · Apr 8, 2009

I'm sorry but your post is rather disconcerting. 1. We were taught NEVER call them diapers even if the patient does. Briefs, britches, depends, underwear, anything but diapers. By doing so, we can raise the pt's self esteem up a notch even a tiny notch is better than nothing.
2. If the patient can say "I need a bed pan, they get a bed pan" It's thier dignity, not the amount of work I want to do that decides. If they don't want to take the rolling, they won't ask for it.
3. Bed ridden patients that can say "I need a bedpan" can also have an OPEN brief under them if they want, if ever they cannot get the bedpan fast enough, or feel that they cannot take the movement of getting a bed pan. At least they still have the dignity of knowing they didn't mess the bed.
I wouldn't dream of telling a patient that having the bedpan would be too hard on them, unless the doctor's order is "do not put this person on a bed pan" which in nursing reads "this patient is bed ridden, and cannot have a bedpan, therefore, this person is to have a depends, which will be changed when patient asks or when soiled, not when the accountant or your coffee breaks dictate"
Bottom line (pardon the pun) - Dignity dictates!

Gee Opus, I have been accused of a lot of things but assault on a persons dignity for want of a coffee break is not one of them and the idea of the accountant having anything to do with the decision I make as to how to care with my patient is laughable! Since I tend to be a bit of a stickler when it comes to the advocacy of my patients and I am also concerned about treating patients kindly I realize that you certainly read my post with a different interpretation than I intended when I wrote it.

Have you ever taken care of many fresh multi- trauma patients? If you do regularly you would know that is very hard on them to be rolled. It can also be dangerous. They absolutely must be rolled to clean up, but you do the minimum. No one is very dignified when he is screaming from a roll with multiple bilateral rib fractures, clavical fracture, new ORIF femur fractures and heaven knows what else. Those are the folks I am talking about. I am glad you watch out for your patients dignity, but their safety and pain level are of primary concern to me. As their nurse I watch out for those issues over dignity.

Having your bottom wiped with or without bedpan is a tremendous assault on dignity. So we are already there when we are dealing with that issue. If a patient has no reason that a bedpan would add extra pain or trauma, of course get the bed pan or better yet, get them up to the potty. Dignity is to be handled with reason, tact and sometimes humor. IN these cases I would seldom utilize a diaper, depends or what ever one chooses to call it.

We generally use diapers on incontinent patients who are able to be up out of bed. If the patient needs it, you use it, if it causes problems, you do not. In the cases that we use them and are talking to the patient about them, I would generally just say I must clean you up, no change your diaper. On our unit, we refer to the actual article as a diaper, but conversation depends on the patient.

Hope you enjoy your coffee break!

Mahage

Sunflowerinsc, ADN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

Drawers is always good in this area, LOL!

How 'bout "step-ins" !! (same as drawers here!)

Our hospital went "diaper free"last year. (not peds of course)

WoofyMutt80 · Apr 9, 2009

I like the term "step-ins" better than "diaper"

LPN&momof3 · Apr 9, 2009

I call them briefs and I think diapers sound so demeaning.

WoofyMutt80 · Apr 9, 2009

I had a client in home care once and she called her Depends her "paper panties"

evilolive, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2009

I say pad usually, to the ladies where I work, and brief to the men. I do flip flop, however :)

MoopleRN · Apr 9, 2009

I don't think "diaper" sounds demeaning. Whether you call it a brief/depends... it's still a diaper by definition IMO. It is a (usually disposable) garment designed to guard your bed against incontinence. I don't see how the term "diaper" is offensive; it's just a word. Is it offensive to BE incontinent? No. So why is the term deemed demeaning if you're not an infant? I have the same problem, BTW, with calling bibs "clothing protectors". Tomato tomata.

Having said that, I call diapers "briefs" to my adult patients, as I was taught to do. I do so because that's the terminology we use at my facility and it's no skin off my nose to do so. I truly, however, don't find the term "diaper" demeaning. It IS a diaper!!!! What is the difference between a diaper for an infant and a disposable brief for an incontinent adult besides the political correctness of saying "diaper" to the adult? Incontinence is NOT demeaning, IMO for the adult. Embarrassing, yes. Frustrating, yes. Demeaning? How? They can't help it and I go out of my way to point that out.

Anyhoo. I'm obviously on a rant. My point is, yes, I call them briefs.... but they really are diapers.

husker_rn, RN · Apr 9, 2009

Briefs gets my vote. Also I hate the word "bib" and prefer clothing protector or crumb catcher. Worked for an LTC that did not tolerate the words bib or diaper. And we took care of our elders, not old folks. I believe we need to accord our elders the respect they deserve.