Assisting a Resident with a Bedpan is a vital skill in healthcare that supports both the physical and emotional needs of individuals with limited mobility. For residents who are unable to safely access the bathroom, using a bedpan ensures dignity, comfort, and independence in managing personal needs. Proper technique helps prevent accidents, reduces the risk of skin breakdown and infection, and maintains the resident’s hygiene. Just as importantly, it fosters trust and respect between the caregiver and resident by preserving privacy and promoting a sense of control. Providing this care with compassion and professionalism is essential to maintaining quality of life in a healthcare setting.

You will need the following to Assist a Resident with a Bedpan: 

• Barrier
• Underpad (Chucks)
• Bedpan
• Toilet Paper
• Hand Wipe
• 2 Sets of Gloves

1. Preparation & Hand Hygiene

• Read and follow the Care Plan, the whole Care Plan, and nothing but the Care Plan.
• Knock and announce yourself before entering.
• Greet the Resident by name and introduce yourself.
• Explain the task to the Resident and ensure their comfort and consent.
• Close the Privacy Curtain
• Wash your hands thoroughly before beginning.
• Place Barrier on Bedside Table. 
• Gather your Supplies, EXCEPT THE BEDPAN.
• Place Supplies on Bedside Table.
  
  • Do Not let Supplies touch your Uniform. 
• Put on a pair of Gloves.

2. Assisting Resident with Bedpan

• Once you are wearing gloves, unfold a Barrier.
  • Do Not Snap or Shake Barrier. 
• Roll Barrier up towards you, and set aside on Bedside Table and Barrier. 
• Retrieve Bedpan and Toilet Paper from Bedside Storage. 
• Ask Resident to lift their knees, feet flat on the Bed. 
• Ask Resident to lift their hips.
• Loosen Blanket as necessary. 
• While Resident has their hips elevated, place rolled Barrier underneath Resident’s midsection and unroll it.
  • Ensure bed is covered by Barrier in the area the Bedpan will be placed. 
• Ask Resident to lower themselves back to the bed. 
• Retrieve Bedpan from Bedside Table. 
• Ask Resident to lift their hips, and place Bedpan underneath Resident.
  • Wider end towards Resident’s head, underneath their buttocks. 
  • Narrow end pointed towards Resident’s feet.
• Ensure Bedpan is centered appropriately. 
• Remove and Dispose of your Gloves. 
• Raise the head of the Bed to Resident’s comfort.
• Ask Resident to relax their legs, and adjust Bedpan as needed.
  • Ensure Resident is covered with Top Sheet for Privacy. 
• Provide Resident Call light and Toilet Paper.  
• Notify Resident that you will be on the other side of the Curtain if necessary, and leave curtain area to provide Privacy. 

3. Bedpan Wrap-Up

• Once the Resident is finished, you may return to the Resident. 
• Lower the Head of the Resident’s Bed. 
• Put on a pair of Gloves. 
• While holding the Bedpan flat, ask Resident to slowly bend their knees and lift their hips. 
• Use a corner of the Barrier to hold the Bedpan in place. 
• Use the Barrier on the Bed to wrap the Bedpan, and remove both at the same time. 
• Take Bedpan to the Bathroom for disposal.
• Unwrap Barrier from Bedpan and dispose of Barrier in garbage can. 
• Empty contents of Bedpan into Resident Toilet. 
• Rinse Bedpan
• Pour Rinsewater into Toilet
• Set Bedpan in Sink
• Clean and Sanitize Bedpan per Facility Guidelines.
• Dry Bedpan with Paper towels and dispose of paper towels in garbage can. 
• Retrieve a clean paper towel. 
• Use clean paper towel to pick up Toilet Paper and place in Bedpan. 
• Use clean paper towel to open Bedside Storage, store Bedpan and Toilet Paper. 
• Close drawer using paper towel. 
• Remove and dispose of Gloves. 
• Provide Resident with a Cleaning wipe to clean their hands. 
• Collect dirty Cleaning wipe with a paper towel. 
• Throw Cleaning wipe and Paper towel in Garbage can. 
• Place Barrier in Garbage can. 
• Adjust Resident’s sheet for appearance. 

4. Address Resident Comfort 

• Ensure Resident is comfortable.
• Ask about Resident needs and preferences.
• Provide Resident with Call light.
• Open the Privacy curtain
• Ensure bed is in lowest position.
• Thoroughly wash your hands.
• Think about the Steps of your Skill. Make any corrections. Tell the evaluator your Skills is complete.

• Not reading and following the Care Plan, the whole Care Plan, and nothing but the Care Plan.
• Not Greeting or introducing yourself to Resident. 
• Not describing Task. 
• Not following Proper privacy practices while Assisting Resident with Bedpan.
• Not closing Privacy Curtain. 
• Touching Resident with Dirty hands.
• Not Changing gloves after Placing Bedpan. 
• Not protecting Resident’s Bed with Barrier.
• Not removing Barrier when Resident is finished.
• Not providing Resident with Call Light when using Bedpan. 
• Not asking Resident to lift their hips to place Bedpan. 
• Using Force to place Bedpan underneath Resident. 
• Not ensuring Resident is centered on the Bed while using Bedpan. 
• Not wearing Gloves while removing/cleaning Bedpan. 
• Not properly emptying Bedpan.
• Emptying Bedpan into Sink.
• Not properly cleaning/sanitizing Bedpan. 
• Not offering Resident  Cleaning Wipe to cleanse their hands once finished. 
• Not placing Soiled Linens in proper bin. 
• Allowing soiled linens to touch the floor. 
• Allowing soiled linens to touch your Uniform. 
• Allowing Clean supplies to touch your Uniform. 
• Not returning Resident’s Bed to the lowest position while wrapping up Skill.
• Not providing Resident with the Call Light.