What Is a Bedpan? Types, How to Use One and Keeping It Clean

What is a bedpan? A bedpan is a shallow container that a person can use to pass urine or open their bowels while lying or sitting in bed. It is used when someone cannot safely get to a toilet or commode, for example after an operation, during a serious illness or near the end of life. There are different types, including flatter "fracture" bedpans for people who cannot lift their hips much. Using a bedpan well means protecting the person's dignity and privacy, positioning them carefully and keeping everything clean.

Key points

• A bedpan is a toileting aid for people who cannot get out of bed to use a toilet or commode.
• Types include standard bedpans, flatter fracture bedpans, and larger bariatric bedpans.
• Wear disposable gloves, wash your hands well, and give the person privacy.
• Empty the bedpan into the toilet, then clean and dry it after every use.
• In the UK, bedpans and urinals can be available on NHS prescription. Ask the GP or local continence service.

Types of bedpan and when they are used

• Standard bedpans are deeper and suit people who can lift their hips a little.
• Fracture bedpans are flatter at one end, so they are easier to slide under someone who cannot lift their hips, such as after a hip injury.
• Bariatric bedpans are wider and stronger for larger people.
• Reusable and single-use bedpans: reusable bedpans are cleaned after each use. Single-use bedpans are thrown away after one use. In hospitals and care homes they are usually disposed of in a machine called a macerator.

Choosing the right type helps keep the person comfortable and safe. In a care setting this is part of staff's duty of care.

How to use a bedpan safely

If you are helping someone at home, a nurse or occupational therapist can show you the safest way for that person. General steps:

• Wash your hands and put on disposable gloves and, ideally, a disposable apron.
• Explain what you are going to do, and close the door or curtains.
• If you can, raise the head of the bed a little.
• Ask the person to lift their hips if they can, or roll them gently onto their side.
• Slide the bedpan into place from the side. The wider end goes under the buttocks, and the narrow end of a fracture pan points towards the feet.
• Check it is centred, then help them into a comfortable position. Put a waterproof pad underneath in case of spills.
• Give them toilet paper and a call bell or phone, and give them privacy if it is safe to do so.

Clean the bedpan after each use. If you are helping someone this way every day, you are a carer and can ask the council for a free carer's assessment. It might recommend someone to take over so you can have a break. Our guide for unpaid carers explains more.

Cleaning a bedpan

Good cleaning helps prevent infection:

1. Wearing gloves, empty the contents carefully into the toilet.
2. Rinse the bedpan with water, pouring the water into the toilet.
3. Wash all surfaces with detergent and warm water, using a brush kept only for this job.
4. Disinfect it. NHS infection control advice for health and social care staff suggests a chlorine-releasing product (such as a suitable bleach) at the right strength. Follow the product instructions, and never mix different chemicals, as the fumes can be dangerous.
5. Rinse, dry thoroughly and store.
6. Take off your gloves and wash your hands. The NHS advises washing your hands for around 20 seconds, including after using the toilet.

In hospitals and care homes, the same advice says reusable bedpans should ideally be heat-disinfected in a bedpan washer-disinfector, while single-use ones go into a macerator. Good hygiene is especially important for older people. See our article on personal hygiene in a care home.

Common problems and simple fixes

Problem	Effect	What helps
Discomfort	Anxiety and difficulty going	Try a fracture pan, raise the head of the bed and use pillows for support
Spills and leaks	Wet bedding and sore skin	Use a waterproof pad, and check the bedpan is level and centred
Embarrassment	Distress, or holding on too long	Close doors and curtains, keep them covered, and explain each step calmly
Sore skin	Risk of pressure ulcers	Do not leave the bedpan in place longer than needed, and help them change position regularly

Comfort and dignity

Dignity is at the heart of good care. Close doors and curtains, and keep the person covered as much as possible. Explain what you are doing before you do it, and speak calmly and respectfully. Respond quickly when they say they have finished. A comfortable room temperature, soft lighting and a calm manner all help. Our guide to caring for a loved one at home has more ideas.

Storage and checks

After cleaning and drying, store the bedpan somewhere clean and dry, away from food areas, ideally upside down so water cannot collect. Check reusable bedpans regularly for cracks, chips or rough edges. These can hurt skin and are hard to clean, so replace a damaged bedpan. Follow the maker's instructions for disposable bedpans.

Tips for carers and care staff

Good training makes bedpan care easier and safer for everyone. If you are a family carer, ask the district nurse, GP or hospital team to show you how to position the person and move them safely. A carer's assessment can include training on how to lift safely. Practise placing an empty bedpan first, and ask for advice if anything feels unsafe.

Care staff should follow their employer's procedures and infection control policies.

Frequently asked questions

How long can someone stay on a bedpan?

Only as long as they need. Sitting on a bedpan puts pressure on the skin, and the NHS says people who have problems moving have a higher chance of getting pressure ulcers. Changing position regularly helps prevent them. If someone being cared for at home is at risk of pressure ulcers, you can ask a GP for a risk assessment.

Can a bedpan be used in a wheelchair?

It is not usually recommended. If someone can sit in a wheelchair, a commode (a chair with a hidden toilet) or a raised toilet seat may be safer and more comfortable. Ask an occupational therapist what would suit them.

Do bedpans have weight limits?

Yes. Each bedpan has a maximum weight set by the maker, so check the label or instructions. Bariatric bedpans are designed for larger people.

Can I get a bedpan on the NHS?

Possibly. NHS guidance in some areas says urinals and bedpans are available on prescription. Ask the GP, district nurse or the local continence service. The NHS says you may be able to get incontinence products depending on your local integrated care board (ICB), and you may need an assessment. A council needs assessment can also look at equipment such as a commode. Bedpans are also sold by pharmacies and mobility shops. If you are disabled or have a long-term illness, you may not have to pay VAT on equipment designed for your disability.

What are the alternatives to a bedpan?

Alternatives include hand-held urinals (made for men and for women), a bedside commode, a raised toilet seat or toilet frame, and continence products such as pads and washable bed pads. A continence nurse or occupational therapist can help find the best option. For care towards the end of life, see our end of life care guide.

Sources

• Norovirus: an information leaflet for health and social care staff (NHS England South and Public Health England)
• Continence accessories (NHS South and West Devon Formulary)
• Incontinence products (NHS)
• Pressure ulcers (NHS)
• How to wash your hands (NHS)
• Carer's assessments (NHS)
• Household gadgets and equipment to make life easier (NHS)
• VAT relief for disabled people (GOV.UK)