To Brief or not to brief????

[Starletta]

I started my CNA classes at a Community College a while back and dismissed myself from the program, and am now taking it with the American Red Cross which I love!

During Clinicals with the College, the residents wore briefs.

My new Instructor said it is much more sanitary and easier to clean NOT using briefs, but only the pads underneath a Resident. Reasoning - Resident is not spending time with Urine and Fecal matter pressed into the genital area. i.e. UTI.

Another gal also mentioned it is much easier to clean a Resident who is only using the cotton pad with the plastic backing.

Opinions??? Thank you!

[seanieboy]

I personally hate briefs...I have been a CNA for 10 years now and I am starting nursing school this august. I have been a firm believer that briefs are a great took for dignity and preventing humiliation for patients when they are up and out of bed, visiting family, eating meals, going to activities getting their hair done and tons of other activities. But my personal belief is that whether or not they wear briefs is the patients choice but if they can sit on a toliet with or with out assistance is the best route to go. The human race has used toliets for quite some time now and out bodies have sorta evolved into this and i try my hardest to help my patients who are able to sit on a toliet to use it. the mess is better off in the toliet than on them!!! cuts down on infections for wounds and UTI's. here is something else to ponder on...using the toliet also can prevent bowel obstructions and GI bleeds by keeping that bad bacteria in the stool away from the orifice!!

[seanieboy]

Maxi pads are designed for another purose wouldn't you agree??? To work of nurses and aides alike to keep any elimation medium (stool or urine) away from the skin!!!

[yousoldtheworld]

I think everyone would agree that it would be best to go in the toilet...however, incontinent people cannot control when they go, and briefs and pads are necessary to preserve their dignity and prevent huge messes.

Unfortunately, at my facility, briefs are our only option, as we are not allowed to use bed pads anymore and haven't been able to for a year now. Then they wonder why the mattresses start to smell...

[cogath]

We are only allowed to use a bed pad when the residents are in bed and I can see the logic behind opening the perineum to air. I wouldn't want to be wearing a soiled breif 24/7. We've only had to do complete bed changes a few times in my 2+ years working because we have very large, absorbant bed pads. With rounds you just clean them up and exchange the bed pad. Briefs are expensive and create a lot of waste.

[JDZ344]

We use bbriefs/pads. It is not easier to clean someone who does not have a brief.

[Starletta, CNA]

So, to the CNA's/Nurses who only use Incontinence pads - Do you find your Residents getting into their feces with their hands?? I'm thinking Alzheimer's patients in this case.

The Incontinence pads we use in school are quite large. Reaching from one side of the bed to the other side. And probably, a good 3 or so feet length wise.

In the Clinical I took at the Community College, the majority of the Residents wore briefs and they were a real mess to clean, slide off under the Resident, Clean the Resident, then put back on.

[yousoldtheworld]

When I was able to use pads only, to be honest I didn't notice more messes from people playing in their poop. It did happen from time to time, as it does with briefs, but not noticeably more. I find it easier to clean, also, because it's not held up against the skin. It mostly goes right onto the pad, instead of up in the crotch and everywhere else it does with a brief.