Calling briefs "diapers"....*vent*

[cherrybreeze]

This has to be one of my BIGGEST pet peeves, from way back when I was a CNA. Maybe *technically* they are diapers, but COME ON....how disprespectful can you get? I call them Depends or briefs, it at least maintains SOME dignity for the patient. Especially if they are post op, say, and are having trouble controlling their bowels as function returns to normal, and they've never had to wear them before. It's rude and demeaning.

I read an LPN's narrative charting a few weeks ago, where she actually WROTE the term "diaper." Now it's in that person's chart for all eternity. Great. Aside from the fact that it isn't something that even needs to be PUT in the narrative notes (this LPN is notorious for that, though, but that's a whole other story).

Just had to get that out.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

This has to be one of my BIGGEST pet peeves, from way back when I was a CNA. Maybe *technically* they are diapers, but COME ON....how disprespectful can you get? I call them Depends or briefs, it at least maintains SOME dignity for the patient. Especially if they are post op, say, and are having trouble controlling their bowels as function returns to normal, and they've never had to wear them before. It's rude and demeaning.

I read an LPN's narrative charting a few weeks ago, where she actually WROTE the term "diaper." Now it's in that person's chart for all eternity. Great. Aside from the fact that it isn't something that even needs to be PUT in the narrative notes (this LPN is notorious for that, though, but that's a whole other story).

Just had to get that out.

I somewhat disagree.

I would never use the term diaper verbally to a patient or their family members, but there is nothign wrong with that in charting, because that is what they are, adult diapers.

Depends, is a brand name. So unless I was using Depends-brand adult diapers, I wouldn't use that.

Briefs, can mean different things to different people...it may be disposable, it may not be.

Using the term "diaper" in charting is less ambiguous.

[ddv106]

To reply to baby lady,

if you write it in the chart and your facility gets a deficiency, you get canned, since CMS, says don't use dignity issue. If it was my facility and you were inserviced on it as all my staff was, your behind would be out the door. I ran deficiency free facilities because we followed the rules and did a great job, from the bottom u:uhoh3: up

[ddv106]

I am very happy to report that I have received a reply from 1 company, see below identifying info deleted for confidentiality purposes, and I am in conversation with 2 other companies about how to make changes for the better. This is for all of the people I have worked with that have to use briefs, etc and who hate the name "DIAPERS" especially when they are young men and women who live most of their day in wheelchairs, go to college, work, and out socializing, to have the brief word used instead of being out and thir CNA or HHA ask, do you want your Diaper changed. You can make slips if you don't stop using the word. All my passion is forn them.

Ms. Vanette,

Thank you for visiting Medical's web site and providing us with your feedback. Since we have no physical storefronts, our web presence and the related overall user experience is very important to us. As the Director of Medical, I apologize if our terminology in describing our product is offensive to you or to any of your patients. We have selected professional caregivers and adults who are caring for their parents in a home setting as our focus audience and the last thing that we want to do is alienate this group. While the term "diapers" and "adult diapers" are more frequently searched for than the word "briefs" when looking at search engine history, I have made a decision that the dignity of our customers and potential future customers is more important for us as a business. Starting this evening, we will be changing our products to read adult briefs instead of adult diapers.

I, again, appreciate your feedback and hope to be of service to you and to your patients in the near future. Should there be any questions or if you need any literature to help with the promotion of our site, please do not hestitate to contact me for this information. Thank you again and have a pleasant evening!

Sincerely,

:redbeathe

.AOLWebSuite .AOLPicturesFullSizeLink { height: 1px; width: 1px; overflow: hidden; } .AOLWebSuite a {color:blue; text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer} .AOLWebSuite a.hsSig {cursor: default}

[annietart]

Personally, calling an adult brief a diaper just reeks of the really creepy adult baby fetish. It's... horrifying and I want no part of it no matter how small or removed it is; so I'll continue to call them briefs.

[rn/writer, RN]

Way to go, ddv106!

Thank you for actively seeking a change. Please, let the vendor know that we all appreciate their quick and positive response.

But it wouldn't have happened so quickly (or maybe at all) without your efforts.

Well done!

P.S. Be sure to let your workplace know what you have accomplished. You don't need to out yourself here on AN, but you can certainly show copies of your correspondence with the companies involved. This is something your employer should hear about (and count as a plus during your yearly evaluation).

[nursel56]

That's wonderful ddv! Also amazing that this company was so prompt in addressing the issue. I understand why you need to omit the name of the company--however I would choose to give them my business.

[ddv106]

The company is on this allnurses.com

it starts with a f and as you can see has medical in the name.

Or anyone can use aol for me it is at the bottom of my post anyway so if you put that together ddv and, if you can read between the lines here and I will share it with you.

We should be able to share his info, Chris was great.

I don't mean to be firm but it is something I promised to do for some people and these people mean a great deal to me like all of your people mean to you.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Or must we have master's and doctorate to do so appropriately?

I don't know- sensitive language is something I've mastered on a Bachelor's level. Is it really that complicated and challenging to be sensitive to your patient's dignity that you need advanced schooling?

We were taught in my nursing program not to use "diaper."

[Batman25]

I am very happy to report that I have received a reply from 1 company, see below identifying info deleted for confidentiality purposes, and I am in conversation with 2 other companies about how to make changes for the better. This is for all of the people I have worked with that have to use briefs, etc and who hate the name "DIAPERS" especially when they are young men and women who live most of their day in wheelchairs, go to college, work, and out socializing, to have the brief word used instead of being out and thir CNA or HHA ask, do you want your Diaper changed. You can make slips if you don't stop using the word. All my passion is forn them.

Ms. Vanette,

Thank you for visiting Medical's web site and providing us with your feedback. Since we have no physical storefronts, our web presence and the related overall user experience is very important to us. As the Director of Medical, I apologize if our terminology in describing our product is offensive to you or to any of your patients. We have selected professional caregivers and adults who are caring for their parents in a home setting as our focus audience and the last thing that we want to do is alienate this group. While the term "diapers" and "adult diapers" are more frequently searched for than the word "briefs" when looking at search engine history, I have made a decision that the dignity of our customers and potential future customers is more important for us as a business. Starting this evening, we will be changing our products to read adult briefs instead of adult diapers.

I, again, appreciate your feedback and hope to be of service to you and to your patients in the near future. Should there be any questions or if you need any literature to help with the promotion of our site, please do not hestitate to contact me for this information. Thank you again and have a pleasant evening!

Sincerely,

:redbeathe

.AOLWebSuite .AOLPicturesFullSizeLink { height: 1px; width: 1px; overflow: hidden; } .AOLWebSuite a {color:blue; text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer} .AOLWebSuite a.hsSig {cursor: default}

Bravo!! Great job!!

[Fribblet]

I don't know- sensitive language is something I've mastered on a Bachelor's level. Is it really that complicated and challenging to be sensitive to your patient's dignity that you need advanced schooling?

We were taught in my nursing program not to use "diaper."

So was I, but I've started taking queues from my patients who refer to their "briefs" as "diapers" or "a pamper." More often than not, with my patient population, I've gotten confused looks when I refer to an adult diaper as a brief. When I tell them that a brief is a diaper, they understand me.

If my patient refers to their diaper as a brief, then that's how I refer to it. If they call it a pamper or a diaper, then that's what I call it.

I'm not going to take the time to "school" my patients regarding the politically correct terminology. If they want to call it a diaper, then so will I. And, frankly, if I'm ever in a position to wear one, I'll probably refer to it as a diaper out of habit. Maybe I'll call it a pamper if I'm feeling frisky.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I'm not going to take the time to "school" my patients regarding the politically correct terminology. If they want to call it a diaper, then so will I.

It's not about what our patients call it, it's about the words we use, as professionals.

[Fribblet]

It's not about what our patients call it, it's about the words we use, as professionals.

Right, and, as a professional, I use terms with a patient that they understand. If it bothers someone that I refer to a brief using the same terminology that my patient uses and understands, I don't really care.

What's embarrassing about incontinence isn't the arbitrary word we assign to the absorbent pad that soaks up urine and prevents feces from soiling one's bed or clothing, it's the actual physical condition of being incontinent. Frankly, sometimes side-stepping and purposefully trying to "cover-up" the issue with words and phrases that obscure the actual situation can be more embarrassing. It implies that there's something wrong and shameful about it.

That's not to say that one shouldn't be tactful, but, you should also consider the implications of trying to "hide" the issue behind political correctness. The avoidance of reality can also be offensive to some.