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.

[hospitaltrancedj]

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.

You hit the nail dead on the head!

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

How about um, if you have time to argue about what to call a diaper, you obviously have too much free time on your hands.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

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

Our facility policy is that you don't SAY the term to the family or patient.

However, we can in charting.

There is a huge difference.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

DDV - awsome job!

Fribblet - I usually agree with you on things. I am not fond of political correctness for the sake of political correctness.

I can see your point in using the language the patient uses and that has some validity in my mind.

However, no matter what term they or their family may use I still find I cannot use the term diaper. To me that is demeaning. Also, I would never want anyone to hear me using that term to an adult.

I guess the point I am making is that even though you make some very valid points I still think any of us adult professionals using that term is inappropriate.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

Actually, here is the dignity section from CMS.

Notice that it had SUGGESTIONS for alternative words for adult diapers, but the section stopped short of a requirement.

Also notice that equally on the list banned words such as "admit" and "discharge".

I guarantee, admit and discharge is used in charting, and the terms "move in" and "move out" is used when speaking with the residents.

http://www.ahcancal.org/facility_operations/Federal%20Regulations/CMS_memo_CultureChangeOtherMod.pdf

[tsw318]

I am a 43 year old quadriplegic man. I have recently had to start wearing diapers. I personally find calling diapers briefs offensive and shaming. When I first started wearing diapers I was very embarrassed. what I was wearing, tabbed variety, was virtually identical to the product made for babies in form and function. Yet they are called differently. Why? to preserve dignity? to me, calling them something other than diapers, which makes most sense with what they are used for and look like, insinuates that there is something inherently shame worthy, undignified, and wrong with an adult wearing diapers. Briefs can refer to virtually any type of undergarment whatsoever, to me it seems in order to hide something inherently shameful and avoid calling it what it is. If I call them briefs, I feel I am admitting that I should be ashamed of my condition and need to do my best to hide or cover it up as if I am pretending to wear underwear when I'm not. For that reason I have asked all my caregivers to please call them diapers as well. It helps me to be honest with myself and feel better, more dignified, and less embarrassed about my situation.

[caliotter3]

This sounds more like a personal issue with an individual nurse.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

where I work we call them "attends' what about Bibbs? We call them "Clothing protectors" what does anyone else call them? (the bibbs?)

When I worked in group homes with dependent adults we called them "Adult Protective Undergarments" and bibs were clothing protectors.

Hppy

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

This sounds more like a personal issue with an individual nurse.

A 7 year old issue...

[tsw318]

No, just the terminology of calling them briefs in general. I believe society has done a disservice to those who are incontinent, misdirected the true focus of the problem away from incontinence, in effect not doing anything to desensitize anyone regarding the issue, letting embarrassment simmer below the surface and covering it over with euphemisms. It should not be terminology such as "diaper" that is embarrassing or demeaning. It's the underlying condition that must be accepted for what it is and calling them diapers has helped me to be honest with myself and accept that I need them and have little choice otherwise. When I think of briefs, I immediately think of "tighty-whities" or boxer briefs, etc. What I am now forced to wear looks like a diaper, functions like a diaper. Why try to hide that fact and call it anything but a diaper except that society has conditioned the medical community into thinking that calling them briefs supposedly preserves dignity. I disagree.

[SouthpawRN]

No, just the terminology of calling them briefs in general. I believe society has done a disservice to those who are incontinent, misdirected the true focus of the problem away from incontinence, in effect not doing anything to desensitize anyone regarding the issue, letting embarrassment simmer below the surface and covering it over with euphemisms. It should not be terminology such as "diaper" that is embarrassing or demeaning. It's the underlying condition that must be accepted for what it is and calling them diapers has helped me to be honest with myself and accept that I need them and have little choice otherwise. When I think of briefs, I immediately think of "tighty-whities" or boxer briefs, etc. What I am now forced to wear looks like a diaper, functions like a diaper. Why try to hide that fact and call it anything but a diaper except that society has conditioned the medical community into thinking that calling them briefs supposedly preserves dignity. I disagree.

A person should never feel ashamed of something that they cannot control, such as a medical condition or illness.

Be proud of it, own it... If the person has a problem with the term adult diaper, hopefully they will bring it up and you can do some patient education that it is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrased about and give them justification why. I wonder if there is a perception difference to the word between male and female nurses, I have never heard of not being able to call it what it is. I might even discuss different brand or sources (online, mail order etc) if they need them on an ongoing basis.

I may refer them to where they can get more info from users of the products as well as suppliers. there are even options for reusable diapers, protective undergarments to guard against leaks, swim diapers for adults, (they may not know these exist), and so on.

[David Lubeski]

I always referred to them as Pampers or diapers when I was a patient/resident of a nursery home and would not respond to questions about them needing to be changed unless staff referred to them using my preferred terminology.