Bedpans / Fracture Pans

Bedpan Uses

Patients who are bedridden, immobile, have limited mobility or experience incontinence may be provided with a bedpan by their caregiver or facility. Sometimes called hospital bedpans, this toileting aid is very common in hospitals and is generally available to any patients who request or require their use while in healthcare facilities.

Female Bedpan vs. Bedpans for Males

If you’re looking for a female bedpan or a bedpan for males, your search ends here; most standard bedpans are generic (i.e. not made to be gender-specific). Nevertheless, the use of urinal pans does differ by gender. Hospital bedpans are used by both men and women for bowel movements as well as by women for micturation. Male patients are advised to use urinals for urine elimination, as male urinals are better suited for their anatomy.

Bedpan vs. Fracture Pan

Although bedpans and fracture pans both function as bedpans for bedridden patients, they are fundamentally different in their build and usage.

Whenever a patient’s condition allows, the head of their hospital bed should be raised and a regular bedpan used to promote a natural elimination position, which will allow for the most effective elimination.

However, some patients cannot use a regular bedpan. Whether their hips cannot be lifted or they can’t be placed in a sitting position, patients who have had a hip replacement surgery benefit from the minimalist design of fracture bedpans. Fracture pans are also used for other patients who, due to their age or condition, cannot be adjusted to accommodate a regular bedpan. In these cases, a fracture bedpan can be slid underneath without lifting the patient or even changing their position. By contrast to the fracture pan arrangement, a standard bedpan should only be used in a seated position.

Bedpan Features

• Bariatric Bedpans: The larger size of a bariatric bedpan makes splashing over the edges less likely. Extra large bed pans are also ideal for broad patients or patients who are concerned about overfilling their bedpans.
• Bedpans with Handles: A hospital bedpan with a handle makes it easier for caregivers to position and remove the urinal pan, and is especially convenient when the patient has limited mobility. In fact, fracture pans commonly feature a handle because their lower walls make a steady grasp a crucial part of preventing spills.
• Bedpans with Lids: This feature is great for anyone who needs a way to keep odors as contained as possible until the bedpan can be emptied and cleaned.

Assisting a Patient with a Bedpan

1. Set the bed into an appropriate position: Make sure it is flat, and at a comfortable height for caregiver to work with.
2. Roll down the blankets and raise the patient's hospital gown so it won't get soiled.
3. Have the patient roll onto his side, facing away from you. if you need to reposition yourself, use the draw sheet to roll him over. (Depending on mobility levels, after surgery or after an accident, when patients sometimes can’t move much at all, they turn and hold onto the bed rail while the male or female bedpan is placed underneath them. Use the draw sheet to help if needed.)
4. If the patient is not already positioned on a bed pad, place one beneath him at this point to catch any urine or feces that would otherwise soil the bed sheets.
5.  Center the bedpan beneath his body, pushing down onto the bed to get it into the right position. This will the patient's skin from becoming irritated or damaged due to the bedpan pushing against his skin.
6. Have the patient roll back over, or assist him in doing so.
7. Raise the head of the bed so that the patient is in a sitting position, similar to that of using the toilet.
8. Roll the blanket back up, make sure the patient has access to tissues or wipes as well as the call button, and wait for him to call you.
9. If patient does not call within a few minutes, come back to check, since lying on a bedpan for long periods of time can cause the body’s tissue to break down.
10. When the patient is ready to be taken off the bedpan, straighten out the bed to prevent spills and allow (or assist) the patient to turn onto his side. As the patient turns, keep a firm grip on the bedpan to ensure that it doesn't tip
11. Wipe the patient, remove the bedpan, and help the patient back into a comfortable position.

At AvaCare Medical, we have a massive selection of incontinence management products so you can always find what you want. If you need help finding the best bedpan or other medical elimination products, give us a call; we’re always here to help!