Bedpan: which type to buy and how to use it correctly at home
We research products from makers' specs and health sources; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.
- Standard plastic bedpan with handle. Best for: Comparing a standard pan with the care team. See options on Amazon
- Fracture bedpan. Best for: Comparing a low-entry pan when movement is limited. See options on Amazon
- Disposable bedpan liners. Best for: Caregivers who want less cleaning. See options on Amazon
- Disposable nitrile gloves. Best for: Every bedpan change. See options on Amazon
- Waterproof bed underpads. Best for: Protecting the bed during bedpan use. See options on Amazon
What is a bedpan, and which type do you need?
Kaiser Permanente describes a bedpan as a plastic or metal container for urine or stool when someone cannot leave bed. Some accept liners for easier cleanup.
| Option | What to compare | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Standard pan | Opening, rim profile, dimensions and user-weight limit | Check the care team's fit and positioning advice |
| Fracture-style pan | Low or tapered entry and handle location | May be easier to position with limited movement; confirm suitability |
| Disposable pan or liner | Compatibility and disposal instructions | Do not assume a liner removes all cleaning duties |
Medline's Deluxe Fracture Bedpan example has a tapered front and loop handle. Its Stack-A-Pan example lists a 250 lb user limit and dimensions of 14 by 11 by 2.75 inches. These are model examples, not limits for every bedpan. Pan dimensions and support matter even when someone is within a stated weight limit.
If transfers are approved, compare a bedside commode. A urinal bottle is another format for urine; ask about fit and safe use.
How to place a bedpan
First have a nurse or therapist show the movement allowed by the care plan. Do not assume that rolling is permitted just because hip lifting is not.
- Gather the pan, gloves, toilet paper or wipes and a protective pad. Explain what you are doing and preserve privacy.
- Wash and dry hands; put on gloves. Help with clothing and keep the person covered.
- Kaiser describes placement by a slight hip lift or a side-turn onto the pan. Use only the movement you have been shown is safe, with a helper if needed.
- Follow the selected pan's orientation instructions. Leave paper within reach and privacy only if the person can safely be alone.
How to remove and clean a bedpan
Kaiser advises holding the pan steady during removal, helping with wiping, emptying into the toilet, cleaning and drying the pan, then disposing of gloves and washing hands. Help the person wash their hands too.
Its guidance describes a diluted disinfectant. Confirm compatibility with the pan and follow the cleaning product's dilution, contact time and other instructions; do not invent a mixture. CDC advises cleaning first, then disinfecting when needed, with ventilation and any specified protective equipment. Never mix cleaning products or apply surface disinfectants to skin. Store chemicals securely. CDC notes that some cleaning products can trigger asthma; ask the care team about suitable options if needed.
Dispose of liners and pads according to their label and local instructions. Do not assume they are flushable. Keep disposable gloves nearby; they do not replace hand washing.
Comfort, skin and common mistakes
- Check promptly: Kaiser says to check often and remove the pan and bed pad soon after use.
- Watch skin: NHS describes persistent discolored patches, warmth, changed texture, pain or open skin as possible pressure-ulcer signs. Ask the care team about them.
- Seek urgent care: suspected pressure-ulcer symptoms with hot/swollen skin, pus, fever, or severe/worsening pain need urgent assessment. Redness may appear purple or blue on darker skin.
- Avoid forcing movement: stop if positioning hurts or conflicts with prescribed restrictions. A low pan does not make an unsafe transfer safe.
- Protect bedding: use a bed underpad when appropriate and replace wet supplies promptly.
Supplies to keep beside the bed
Keep gloves, toilet paper or suitable wipes, underpads, a place to set the pan, and the approved cleaning supplies accessible. Check whether you can carry and empty the pan steadily. Incontinence pads or adult diapers are different care options; discuss their role rather than leaving someone on a bedpan because timing is difficult.
What to look for when you buy
Standard plastic bedpan with handle
Best for: Comparing a standard pan with the care team
Check shape, usable dimensions and user-weight limit before purchase.
Watch out: Confirm permitted positioning. A standard label does not establish fit or suitability.
See options on AmazonFracture bedpan
Best for: Comparing a low-entry pan when movement is limited
The maker example above uses a tapered front and a handle. Ask the care team to demonstrate the selected model.
Watch out: Check its capacity and weight limit; do not assume every fracture pan has the same shape or permitted positioning.
See options on AmazonDisposable bedpan liners
Best for: Caregivers who want less cleaning
Some pans accept liners, as Kaiser notes. Compare attachment and absorbent features for your pan.
Watch out: Follow liner disposal and pan cleaning instructions. A liner is not a substitute for hygiene.
See options on AmazonDisposable nitrile gloves
Best for: Every bedpan change
Gloves are included in the care supplies described above.
Watch out: Choose suitable gloves and follow the care plan. Wash hands before and after use.
See options on AmazonWaterproof bed underpads
Best for: Protecting the bed during bedpan use
A protective pad is part of the bedside setup described by Kaiser.
Watch out: Check the size and change wet supplies promptly; do not leave the person on a hard rim for convenience.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- How do you use a bedpan correctly?
- Use the approved positioning and hygiene steps above. A care-team demonstration matters more than a generic instruction to lift or roll.
- How do you place a bedpan for someone who cannot lift their hips?
- Ask which movement is safe. A fracture-style pan may be considered, but do not assume side-turning is allowed after surgery or injury.
- Which end of the bedpan goes under the buttocks?
- Follow the diagram for the exact pan and the positioning you were taught. Pan profiles and handle layouts differ.
- What is the difference between a standard bedpan and a fracture pan?
- Compare the rim or entry profile and the actual dimensions. Choose with the care team rather than using the name alone.
- How do you clean a bedpan?
- Follow the pan and cleaning-product directions as described above. Do not use an improvised dilution or mix products.
Sources
- Learning About How to Use a Bedpan (healthy.kaiserpermanente.org), Kaiser Permanente Health Encyclopedia
- Medline Deluxe Fracture Bedpan: product information (athome.medline.com), Medline (maker)
- Medline Stack-A-Pan Bedpan: product information (athome.medline.com), Medline (maker)
- Pressure ulcers (pressure sores) (nhs.uk), NHS
- When and How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home (cdc.gov), CDC