Patients and bedpans.

My top 5 tips for getting a patient on a bedpan and retrieving it without making a mess.

 These are just some things I've observed and learned over the years of doing nursing assistant work, and working as an ER technician. Hopefully, you may find them helpful as well. 

1. Have your patient bend their knees and push their buttocks up off the bed.

 If your patient is able to use their legs, more often then not, they will be able to push up off the bed just enough to slip a bedpan underneath them. Doesn't always work, but it's usually worth a try.


2. Rolling your patient.

 If your patient is unable to lift up off the bed, and many times they won't, roll them to the side (gently) and place the bedpan accordingly. When they roll back, grab the bedpan from the other side and pull it to make sure it's under them and not lopsided.


3. Make sure your patient is up in the bed, and not sliding down at the bottom.

 Having your patient scooted all the way up in the bed makes a world of a difference when trying to put them on a bedpan. Take a moment to pull them up in the bed before starting.


4. For larger patients, double up the bedpan before putting it under them.

This will prevent the bedpan from being squashed while they try and do their business.


5. Think about your patient, do they really need a bedpan?

 Sometimes, it's better and less embarrassing/stressful for your patient, if you actually get them out of the bed and have them use a bedside commode. Of course, discretion has to be used in this case, not all patients are going to be able to out of bed due to the nature of their complaint or medical problem.