Component Task: Serving of Bedpan to a Patient

This is the process of promptly assisting a bedridden patient with a bedpan to maintain his/her bowel elimination pattern without getting out of bed. Most patients feel embarrassed when requesting for this assistance, the nurse must therefore be courteous and understanding when assisting the patient.

Aims

·         Maintenance of bowel elimination pattern

·         Make patient comfortable

Requirements

Trolley containing the following:

·         Bowl

·         Jug of water

·         Soap

·         Wipes/tissue

·         Covered bedpan

·         Receiver

·         Mackintosh and dressing towel

Steps

1.        Explain procedure and provide privacy

2.      Prepare and send trolley to the bedside

3.      Stand at the right side of the bed with assistant on the other side

4.      Loosen to bed clothings

5.      Place the mackintosh and dressing towel at the midsection of the bed

6.      Gently lift patient with the assistant onto bedpan

7.       Leave patient for some time and inform him/her to call your attention when he/she is done

8.      Lift patient again with assistant to remove the bedpan after use, cover the bedpan immediately

9.      Don gloves, cleans patient with wipes/tissue and discard

10.    Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene

11.      Allow patient to wash hands with soap and water and dry hands

12.    Arrange bed clothes and leave patient comfortable in bed

13.    Take bedpan to the sluice room and inspect content before emptying

14.    Measure urine if any, when necessary and record

15.    Empty bedpan, decontaminate, wash, sterilize and remove screen

16.    Perform hand hygiene, document procedures and report any abnormalities