Cleaning patients after bowel movements.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I hope this is not a stupid or idiot question. But, how do does a nursing staff member clean after a bowel movement using a bedpan, or from an accidental soiling of his or herself? Do you use like super strong and thick paper towels the size of bath towels?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

We use the commonly available products intended for the purpose of wiping poop; various versions of pre-moistened wipes, sometimes called baby wipes. Toilet paper also works.

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Even if a patient has incontinence problems or has to wear a diaper or whatever? I had almost validated to enter clinicals twenty years ago.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
15 minutes ago, Kidsrablast said:

Even if a patient has incontinence problems or has to wear a diaper or whatever? I had almost validated to enter clinicals twenty years ago.

Cleaning is the same basic idea, you may need to use something on the softer side if the skin is irritated or broken down, or something on the rougher side if the poop is sticky.

For ongoing incontinence of urine or stool, a protective barrier of some sort may be indicated (ie diaper rash cream).

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Specializes in Mental Health.
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In the LTC facility, we CNA’s used to use regular white cotton wash cloths in the days before baby wipes. We would fill one of those plastic basins with warm, soapy water and go from room to room on night shift. Each resident got their own wash cloth treatment. Those wash cloths got their use. We got the majority of the ‘solid’ material with toilet paper before applying the wash cloth. The lost causes got wheeled down to the shower room if necessary.

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Dare I ask what is compelling your interest?

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7 hours ago, JKL33 said:

Dare I ask what is compelling your interest?

Well just curious. Especially if you have a guy that is 6'5 and 300 pounds. And why the question with harsh tone?

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

Gloves and wipes and sometimes an apron...Roll them off the pan onto their side and clean. Same if an incontinence pad is soiled. Or if they are unable to stand and wipe at the toilet get them to stand and you wipe.

I also don't think that the PP had "tone". It is a an odd Q

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2 minutes ago, Kidsrablast said:

And why the question with harsh tone?

Whatever led you to believe that was written with harsh intent?

We receive inquiries here stemming from a very wide variety of motivations that you may not be aware of; some of which I don't wish to participate in.

I actually was going to just write, "who wants to know, and why?" but I thought that sounded harsh so I didn't write it.

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Specializes in ER OR LTC Code Blue Trauma Dog.
17 hours ago, Kidsrablast said:

But, how do does a nursing staff member clean after a bowel movement using a bedpan, or from an accidental soiling of his or herself?

Here's a good description of how things are usually done.

https://www.freshrn.com/2013/11/25/how-to-clean-a-poopy-patient/

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13 minutes ago, Kidsrablast said:

Well just curious. Especially if you have a guy that is 6'5 and 300 pounds. And why the question with harsh tone?

I thought it was a funny question. I guess we're childish and think poo poo posts can be funny.

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