briefs or diapers

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I was wondering what term you all use; briefs or diapers. I personally think diapers sound too demeaning. what are your thoughts on this?

Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.

I work adult med/surg & we say briefs.

I've come across quite a few patients that use the term "diaper" or even "pampers." These are A&O people, too. :lol2:

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Well, it's always seemed ridiculous to call them briefs when typically the are, in fact, a diaper. But diaper isn't acceptable either. I call it what it is: an undergarment. It's clear what I'm talking about, but it preserves the patient's dignity.

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This reminds me of the bib/clothing protector thing with older folks lol. You don't realize how demeaning it sounds until you hear it come out of your mouth....

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Specializes in Acute Care.

I set out from nursing school determined to always call them briefs.

Now I've had so many A & O people look at me strangley and insist that they are diapers, that's what I'm going with... :trc:

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Specializes in LTC, Home Health.

When I was a new grad I watched many nurses write up CNAs for calling them diapers and bibs. I always hated the terms but wasn't aware they could make these girls stop calling them that. I guess so though.:yeah:

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Specializes in Oncology, Triage, Tele, Med-Surg.

I'm so glad to read most aren't referring to these as diapers. I think it's awful for a medical professional to call them diapers if they're being worn by an adult. Yes, I too have had a few adult patients refer to them as such, but have also been thanked by those same patients for using a more dignified term. As with the popular vote here, I usually refer to them as briefs. Also, protective undergarments, protective/absorbent underwear, disposable underwear, incontinence pads, Depends, etc. - but not diaper! :o

Being incontinent is humbling/humiliating for many people. The control of such a basic function (and the privacy to protect it) is something we can easily take for granted. Even in the most loving and understanding circumstances, the loss of continence is difficult for most to deal with. The patient's dignity should be respected and protected at all times. If a rare patient wants to refer to it as a diaper, that's their choice, but I still won't call it that. I have seen the hurt and humility on the faces of patients and loved ones alike when callous terms have been used such as this. When a loved one of mine was faced with sudden incontinence, a nurse used the term "diaper' and I wanted to womp her upside the head for her insensitivity toward her pt/ my loved one who was very embarrassed by the situation. :angryfire

We all deserve our dignity. Even little things... (like using a better word) can make a big difference to some people - whether they be the patient, family member or fellow nurse.

:redbeathe:nurse::redbeathe

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Specializes in Telemetry.
Well, it's always seemed ridiculous to call them briefs when typically the are, in fact, a diaper. But diaper isn't acceptable either. I call it what it is: an undergarment. It's clear what I'm talking about, but it preserves the patient's dignity.

I agree, I call them undergarments too!

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Specializes in IMCU.
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.

In the rural south you would refer respectfully to them as Old folks or Older folks not elders. They would think you were talking about church elders. I think a lot of it depends serously on the part of the country you are in. I also think that it is not the terms that you use which is demeaning but the way you approach the issue of incontinence that counts. I tell my patients that it is just a bodily function and we are a lot more worried if it doesn't happen than if it does! Sometimes I tell them there is more room out than in, or refer to the Scrubs episode where the musical number about the importance of poop is the main number! I dont use humor with all my patients, but I find that it helps a lot of them through some very embarassing situations.

Mahage

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I do, too.

I use brief or pad.

If the patient is confused I call them underwear.

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