Bedpan and Urinal Assistance Performance Checklist

Assisting the Client – Bedpan and Urinal

Steps

• Check care plan for direction and client needs.
• Perform hand hygiene.
• Assess the client’s status before undertaking the activity. Explain the procedure to the client. Provide for privacy.
• Request help as needed.
• Determine appropriate type of bedpan to use.
• Check if a specimen is required.
• Collect equipment: bedpan, waterproof pad, tissue, and gloves.
• Raise bed to a comfortable working height.
• Ensure that client is properly positioned.
• Position bed as flat as can be tolerated by client.
• Remove upper bed linens.
• Have client roll to the opposite side or assist client to roll to the opposite side.
• Place waterproof pad under the client’s buttocks.
• Press bedpan into mattress and have client roll back onto bedpan.

Alternate method – if client is able:

• Instruct client to flex knees and hips.
• Place waterproof pad under buttocks.
• Place bedpan under client’s buttocks.
• Raise client’s head (unless contraindicated).
• Ensure that client is comfortable, and bedpan is properly placed.
• Replace upper linens over client for warmth and privacy.
• Place call signal and toilet tissue within reach.
• Ensure that bed is in its lowest position and side rails up.
• Allow client privacy but monitor status.
• Remove gloves and wash hands.
• Respond to client’s call signal immediately.
• Position client’s bedside chair for bedpan placement.
• Collect necessary supplies (basin of warm water, toilet tissue, and washcloths as needed).
• Apply gloves. Remove the upper linens and assist client to wipe perineal area as needed.
• Lower head of bed. Remove the bedpan.
• Have (or assist) client roll to opposite side and maintain stability of bedpan.
• Wipe anal area.
• Cover bedpan and remove.

Alternatively

• Have client flex knees and lift hips.
• Cover and remove bedpan.
• Offer partially soapy face cloth and hand towel for client to wash hands. Return client to comfortable position. Lower bed to lowest position and raise side rails as needed.
• Empty contents of bedpan – measure and/or obtain specimen as required. Rinse bedpan. Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.

Urinal for male clients:

• Collect equipment – urinal, gloves and waterproof pad if used.
• Assist client to sit on side of bed and to standing position if able.
• Give client the urinal or position urinal if client unable to.
• If client is unable to stand, assist him to a comfortable position.
• Position the urinal and place penis in the urinal if client unable to.
• Provide for privacy and safety. Wash hands.
• Respond to call signal. Apply clean gloves, assist client to remove urinal as necessary. Assist client with hand washing.
• Take urinal to bathroom and empty, note output if ordered. Rinse urinal with cold water and clean with disinfectant.
• Perform hand hygiene.
• Provide for safety and comfort.
• Tidy area.
• Report and record observations according to agency policy.