How to Use a Bedpan Correctly? | Safe Bedside Steps

A bedpan is used with the wider, open end toward the person’s feet, and the buttocks fully centered on the pan.

One wrong angle causes most bedpan spills, and knowing how to use a bedpan correctly prevents them. It also lowers the risk of skin irritation and injury for both of you. This method is meant for someone who cannot safely get out of bed or walk to the toilet. The routine is straightforward once you understand the one thing that matters most: positioning the pan the right way.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather everything before you begin so you don’t have to leave the bedside after the person is positioned. Close the door or curtain for privacy, and lower the bed to a comfortable working height if it adjusts. A waterproof pad protects the mattress, and gloves protect you from body fluids.

• Waterproof pad or bed protector
• Disposable gloves
• Wipes or washcloths
• Toilet paper
• The bedpan itself

Spread the pad under the person’s hips first. Then wash your hands and put on gloves. If you’re still choosing a pan, our roundup of the best bed pans for women compares models that are easier to position and empty.

Using a Bedpan Correctly: Positioning Is Everything

The correct position puts the wider, open end of the bedpan toward the person’s feet, never toward their back. Getting this orientation right prevents leaks and makes removing the pan much easier.

1. Ask the person to bend their knees and lift their hips if they can. If they need support, place one hand under their lower back and slide the bedpan into place with the wider, open end pointing toward their feet. Slide it gently instead of dragging it so the skin doesn’t rub.
2. If they can’t lift their hips, roll them onto their side, facing away from you. Hold the bedpan against their buttocks, then roll them back onto it. Keep one hand on the pan the whole time so it doesn’t shift or spill.
3. Check that the buttocks are centered on the pan. The person should feel the opening underneath them, not just the rim. An off-center pan misses waste and soaks the bedding.
4. Raise the head of the bed only if the care plan or a provider allows it. A semi-sitting position helps with elimination, but the bed should stay flat when you don’t have permission.
5. Give privacy and stay close. Never leave a weak or unsteady person alone on a bedpan. Keep a call light or phone within reach and check on them regularly.

Never force the pan under the hips. Alberta Health Services’ bedpan instructions stress that forced placement can injure the skin and cause leakage. If the person reports pain or pressure, stop and follow the care plan. Keep the pan steady while they roll on or off it.

Removing the Bedpan and Cleaning Up

When the person finishes, lower the head of the bed if it was raised, help them lift their hips or roll to one side, and slide the pan out carefully. Hold it level with both hands and pull it straight out so the contents stay inside. Keep a waterproof pad or flat surface nearby if you need to set the pan down before emptying it.

Clean the perineal area before the person settles back down. Use wipes or a damp washcloth and pat the skin dry. Empty the bedpan into the toilet, rinse it with warm water, and wash it with mild soap or a disinfectant before storing it. Remove your gloves and wash your hands last.

Most problems come down to a few avoidable mistakes:

• Placing the bedpan backward. The wider, open end must point toward the feet.
• Leaving a weak person alone, even for a minute.
• Removing the pan too quickly or at an angle, which spills.
• Skipping the waterproof pad, gloves, or hand hygiene.
• Leaving the person on the pan longer than needed, which puts pressure on the skin.