When someone is too old, recovering from surgery, or suffering from any illness and unable to use the bathroom, they can use a bedpan to relieve themselves from a chair, bed, or wheelchair. It is a container designed to fit underneath a person sitting or lying in bed and gather urine or feces. These bedpans are made of stainless steel or high-density, soft plastics. They are easy to sanitize, lightweight, and liquid-retentive.

Types of bedpans
There are essentially four bedpan types:

Regular bedpan
They are shaped to suit the posterior region of a patient’s body. Under the pan, there is a small bowl to catch both liquid and solid refuse. For patients with complete or restricted mobility, the regular bedpans can be slid underneath them.

Fracture bedpan
Fracture bedpans have a lower collection pan. Patients with little or no mobility can slip the wedge-shaped frame underneath them. Those with broken bones, amputated limbs, or paralysis frequently use fracture bedpans.

Bariatric bedpan
These are designed for people who weigh more than 300 pounds. Compared to regular bed pans, bariatric bed pans have wider seats. Obese people or those with trouble using a normal bedpan should use this type.

Commode chair
A commode chair is a portable toilet that can be moved around freely, making it perfect for people who don’t like to be confined to a place. It has a seat similar to a regular toilet and a waste-gathering chamber. The chamber is typically covered with a lid to prevent odors from dispersing. These bedpans are appropriate for individuals who might not have easy access to the toilet.

Importance of having bedpans

• Major injuries from accidents can cause months of pain and incapacitation. In such situations, the patients need an appropriate bedpan or urinal bottle for defecation. It guarantees their comfort and prevents bed linens and clothing from getting spoiled. Therefore, any soiling poses an infection risk.
• For older people, this is particularly challenging because it acts as a reminder of the problems they have with their health and what that means for their future. While not giving the elderly the treatment they need is unpleasant and could be dangerous for patients and medical staff. Forcing a patient to soil themselves is humiliating and unacceptable. So, using a bedpan is inevitable. There are options for metal, plastic, and pulp urinal bottle on the market; choose the more appropriate bedpan for the elderly.

Bedpan alternatives

Portable urinals
Any person who has visited a hospital might have probably seen a portable urinal, mainly if they had to wait for a while in the emergency room. These tiny pieces of equipment are ideal for gathering urine in the hospital and on your bed at home. There are many portable urinals, including the Little John portable and bagless comfort fire male urinals. For female users of the Little John, there are adapters like the Lady J Female Adapter and other choices like the SheWee portable urinal bottle.

External catheters
Another option is the use of external catheters. Again, this is typically only to expel urine. These can be fitted for overnight use. For example, leg or bedside fixed urinal bags collect the urine drained through the external catheters. A stadium pal is a urine collection device where the bag is strapped to the patient’s leg.

Adult diapers
Incontinence in adults is a prevalent condition. Patients can use diapers when they have to step out of the house. Always choose a dermatologically tested one to avoid the risk of infection. Buy a diaper that can hold at least 6 cups of water. This is one of the most used bedpan alternatives.

Post-use bedpan hygiene

• Start by cleaning the person with toilet tissue while lying on their side.
• Take some moist wipes or a damp washcloth to clean. If required, you might also need to clean the area thoroughly with soap and water. To avoid the dissemination of feces that could lead to infection, make sure to always clean a female from front to back.
• Dry the area thoroughly after cleaning.
• Additionally, clean the person’s hands, which can be done with a fresh, damp washcloth or wet wipes.
• It’s time to clean the bedpan, so empty it into the commode first.
• The next step is to use detergent and warm water to clean the pan for subsequent bedpan uses.

Conclusion
If you’re assisting someone with a bedpan, try to relax. Helping someone with a bedpan can be unsettling for both of you. And this may be especially true if you are assisting an elderly. So, ensure you are calm and don’t seem embarrassed, to make the other person feel more comfortable.