Issues placing a bedpan

[shippoRN]

Hi everyone

I have huge issues with placing a bedpan. The patients I work with most of the time are unable to lift their hips so I find it difficult to get the pan evenly under the patient then urine ends up all over the bed and I have to change the whole thing. All the videos and literature cater to patients who are able to lift their hips. Anyone have any tips for me or links that show patients who cannot lift their hips?

[MtGypsy, ADN]

Lay patient flat (if not contraindicated), Log roll patient to their side. Place pan on bottom and roll them back onto back. When done, hold pan to keep flat on bed and log roll patient back to side. Remove pan. It still spills sometimes, and may require two caregivers. If patient has hip issues (or fat thighs) put a pillow between their knees to keep hip alignment (and keep thighs from squeezing together). Can still have spills at times..... You can also try a fracture pan, especially if patient smaller.

Hope this helps.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Have the patient lie as flat as possible. Roll the patient as far over to one side as possible. Fit the bedpan over the buttocks. If you can't quite fit it, carefully press the bedpan into the mattress a little further. When the patient rolls back, she will be on the pan. Then have the patient open her legs a little so that the urine will flow downward.

Then start a timer. Never leave a patient on a bedpan for more than 5 minutes. If the patient cannot go within 5 minutes, chances are that the patient didn't have to go.

Remember, on this type, the part with the rounded edge goes to the back.

(This end goes on the backside.)

With the type below, the handle goes to the front of the patient and the flat part goes under the buttocks.

To remove the bedpan: Tell the patient not to move. Get a firm grip on the bedpan to hold it steady. NOW have the patient roll off the bedpan while you keep the bedpan from tipping. Gently wipe, then remove the bedpan carefully, keeping it horizontal.

It's like any other skill, the more you do, the better you get.

[shippoRN]

thank you I didn't know the pillow part and im always struggling with the fracture pan. Sadly I work as a patient tech part time while I'm in school I think 6 months now so I do get the practice but I'm always struggling with giving the bed pan. I'd find myself log rolling the patient placing the pan rolling them back but the pan is only under one butt cheek and then the urine or feces gets everywhere and i've now made more work for myself.

[rn4lyfe08]

As a new nurse I have to agree. Both descriptions are great. I used to have trouble remembering which pan went which way!... Once you figure that out, I log roll the pt and try to center the pan over their butt, then I kinda hold the pan while I roll them back. Then I ask them to open their legs a bit so I can take a peek and make sure I can see part of the pan (enough to catch shooting urine!), then I ask the pt if they feel like they are all the way on the pan. Sometimes they won't know, sometimes they will. The rest is left to prayer. :) Then you must hold the pan as they roll off! I can't stress this enough as this is when the spill usually happens. I try to get my hands on the side edge at the top and bottom corners and use pressure to keep it in place. Sometimes u'll need someone else to help the pt roll so u can control the pan. 90-95% of the time it won't spill, but it does take practice. Hope this helps.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Powder them up real liberally so they S-L-I-D-E right onto it.

[rn4lyfe08]

does that (powder) really work?

[nurz2be]

Ha ha Daytonite said what I was told to do.

Unless they are allergic, apply some talc to either the edges of the bedpan or the patient's backside. Invariably once the patient has had their weight, especially if they are larger, their backside sticks to the blasted pans and a mess ensues.

GOOD LUCK

Oh, good idea to get a classmate and practice the rolling off and on without it being an "emergency", clothes optional, LOL.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

does that (powder) really work?

Always worked for us. That is a trick learned from many CNAs.

[shippoRN]

guys you'd be proud of me so I went to work today and I got a patient that uses the pan alot and I always struggle with her a fracture pan was in the room and Angieplasty's pic came in handy and I did it!! No spill! Now my next challenge is the big pan... On my fundamentals skill set videos they did say to put powder but I've never seen any kind of powder on the floor and nurz2be is right their butts always stick to the pan I thought it was only me and my bad techniques! Lol

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

It'll be easier if you remember that even the big bedpan is plastic, so try to push it down into the mattress to get a better fit.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

This is why having big pockets became an issue for me. If there is no powder on the unit I would just go and buy the smallest sized baby powder (they usually consist of corn starch) I could find and carry it in one of my pockets. Actually, if I was doing clinicals in a large hospital I would personally walk down to Central Supply and ask if they had any and get one from them. Chances are they do; they just aren't routinely packing them into the admission kits anymore. And if they don't then I've learned something about Central Supply.