Bedpan
Reusable bedpans must be emptied, cleaned, and sanitized after each use and allow for urination or defecation while either sitting or lying in bed, as they are placed beneath the buttocks for use.
Florence Nightingale, who worked as a nurse in the United Kingdom from the mid to late 1800s, diagramed death rates and causes for soldiers in military hospitals during the Crimean War and then correlated them to corresponding sanitization procedures.
As a result, Nightingale proposed several methods to improve the sanitary conditions in both military and civilian hospitals, including the addition of bedpans in order to reduce infection exposure from urine or feces.
By categorizing pulp products as medical devices, the European Union recognizes their importance in healthcare settings due to their crucial role in maintaining hygiene and preventing infection spread.
[12] Current nursing guidance suggests that bedpans are indicated for immobile patients with the following concerns: fractures, such as hip or lower extremities, profound fatigue, major surgeries, high fall risk, increased injury potential, and obstetrical.
In order to reduce this risk, ergonomic bedpans have been developed, which support the person with a larger area of less-conductive plastic.
Managing proper hygiene and the cleaning of bedpans for bedridden individuals is important to reduce the risk of infection.
[15] Dedicated equipment cleaning and disinfectant are similar, but with an additional note to accommodate sanitization based on the risk level of the patient.
Washer disinfectors have been utilized more recently for the cleaning of reusable bedpans rather than disinfectants, especially due to the risk of cross-contamination with viruses such as SARS-CoV2 or Ebola.
[19][20] Disinfector machines have been shown to be efficacious against common bacterial infections such as C. difficile spores and E. coli when following instructions, which is an alternative to disposable bedpan waste management.
[19][20][21] This was proven by a trial where commercially available washer disinfectors were evaluated for efficacy and thermal disinfections against C. difficile spores and colonies of E. coli.
Bedpan use varies significantly among countries based on social and cultural norms, resources available, and infection control priorities.
[22] A recent study estimated that 40 percent of the world's population lacks adequate sanitary toilet facilities.
[23][24] This lack of access to basic sanitation has far reaching effects, leading to the spread of diseases and reducing overall quality of life.
As of 2014, countries such as Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mongolia, Norway, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay, had rates of 93%–100% for multiple use bedpans.
Bedpan washers use chemical disinfectants mainly in the US, Uruguay, Tunisia, and India, whereas heat is commonly used in Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, and Hong Kong.
[22] This was the largest study to date on worldwide bedpan usage, with 93 countries participating and providing 1440 total responses.
For those with spinal cord injuries, shower commodes are a common part of assistive technology to help with bowel movements and bathing routines.
