A bedpan or bed pan is an object used for the toileting of a bedridden patient in a health care facility, usually made of a metal, glass, or plastic receptacle. A bed pan can be used for both urinary and fecal discharge. Many diseases can confine a patient to bed, necessitating the use of bedpans, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, apoplexia cerebri and dementia. Additionally, many patients may be confined to a bed temporarily as a result of a temporary illness, injury, or surgery, thereby necessitating the use of a bed pan.

Metal bedpans can cause problems, because steel, which they are usually constructed of, may be cold, hard and uncomfortable. Also, the supporting area is very small and prolonged use can cause pressure ulcers. To solve these problems, new ergonomic bedpans have been developed, which support the patient with a larger area of warm plastic. Some designs completely cover the genitalia during use, offering protection and an extra measure of privacy.

In recent years, the new style bedpan liner made by recycled pulp (molded pulp) is more popular in European hospitals; it is low cost and also single-use, decreasing the risk of cross-communicated disease.

[edit] Gallery

oval steelpan

ergonomic bedpan

cutaway image

This medical treatment article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e