Which Bedpan do I use and why?
Having to help a sick family member with their daily toileting is an unpleasant and can be a hazardous duty. To minimize the work and effort required consider several aspect when deciding which bedpan to use:
How big is the patient or family member?
How strong are you to assist and move them?
What type of bed are they on?
Is the patient or family member on any anti-coagulants (blood thinners)?
The three types of bedpans to consider are: 1) the EZ Bedpan 2) the fracture bedpan 3) the pontoon bedpan
The EZ BEDPAN:
Pros: 4 large handles to enable easier placement and moving, from bottom or left / right side of the patient. Can be used lying down or sitting (it does not tilt), and can accommodate bigger persons. Its large surface area mimics a toilet seat, for comfort and to reduce injuries and skin bleeding when patients are on blood thinners. The large surface area of the top is also designed to prevent spillage. To further reduce spillage, the containment area can hold up 0.5 gallons (2L) of urine/feces. With a design to make disposable bag placement, and removal easier.
Cons: It is very large compared to other standard bedpans such as the Fracture or Pontoon bedpan.
The fracture bedpan:
Pros: is very easy to use from the inferior position on the patient. It can be placed with minimal assistance from the patient and pushed in under their bottom. It can also be placed from the side but it requires that the patient be moved onto their side.
Cons: If the patient is heavy, pushing them all the way to 90 degrees for placement is difficult. The surface area of the fracture bedpan is VERY small, and patients on blood thinners can experience bleeding of the skin when the bedpan is placed or after several minutes of lying on them. The containment area is also very small and shallow, often leading to spills and overflow, especially during removal from under the patient. This causes more work for the care giver.
The Pontoon Bedpan:
Pros: Relatively comfortable with a fairly large surface area, less likely to cause problems with patients on blood thinners. Familiar to most people.
Cons: Disposable begs have a tendency to come off during placement or removal from under the patient, spilling the urine and feces. The 90 degree walls tend to cause spillage during movement. Lack of handles. Prone to tilting. Difficult to place unless the patient assists.
