Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families
Shop for Plans

Shop for Plans
Shop for your own coverage
Medical Dental Other Supplemental
Plans through your employer

Learn about the medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and voluntary benefits your employer may offer.

Explore coverage through work
Learn
How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics
Looking for Medicare coverage?
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Caregiving: Using a Bedpan or Urinal

Caregiving: Using a Bedpan or Urinal

Getting Started

If the person you're caring for is not able to leave their bed to go to the bathroom, they may need to use a bedpan or urinal.

  • A bedpan is a container used to collect urine or feces, and it is shaped to fit under a person lying or sitting in bed. Bedpans can be made of plastic or metal, and some can be used with liners to prevent splashing and make cleaning easier.
  • A urinal is a container used to collect urine and is made for either male or female anatomy. But some people might find it easier to use a bedpan.

If you are helping someone with a bedpan or urinal, try to be relaxed. If you are calm and don't seem embarrassed, the person may feel more comfortable.

How to help with a bedpan

Start by gathering supplies. You will need a bedpan, gloves, and toilet paper or wet wipes. A pad to protect the bed is also helpful. Make sure you have a place to set the bedpan aside while you help with wiping or getting dressed.

Wash and dry your hands well, and put on gloves. If you can, place a bed pad under the bedpan for spills.

Have the person you're caring for take down their pants and underwear, and help if needed. Cover them with a sheet or blanket for privacy.

Help get the bedpan into position.

slide 1 of 2
slide 1 of 2, Help get the bedpan into position.,

To position the pan:

  • Have the person sit up or lift up the hips slightly, and then slide the bedpan under the person. Or if you have a helper, help the person lift the hips as your helper slides the bedpan under the person's buttocks.
  • Or you can help the person turn to the side. Gently press the bedpan against their bottom, and then help them turn back onto the bedpan.

If you can leave the person alone safely, leave the room to give privacy. Check on the person often so the bedpan and bed pad can be removed soon after use.

Remove the bedpan carefully when the person is finished.

slide 2 of 2
slide 2 of 2, Remove the bedpan carefully when the person is finished.,

  1. Hold the bedpan in place and help the person roll off of it, away from you. Carefully set the bedpan to the side.

  2. Help the person wipe if needed.

  3. Empty the bedpan into the toilet.

  4. Rinse and wash the bedpan using a disinfectant diluted with water. It may help to use a small sprayer that attaches to the toilet water supply. Dry the bedpan or let it air-dry.

  5. Take off your gloves and throw them away.

How to help with a urinal

  1. Gather the supplies. You will need a urinal, gloves, and toilet paper or wet wipes. Make sure you have a place to set the urinal aside while you help with wiping or getting dressed.
  2. Wash and dry your hands well, and put on gloves. Have the person you're caring for lower or unzip their pants. Offer help if needed.
  3. Ask the person to position the urinal so urine will flow into it. If needed, help them spread their legs and position the urinal. If the person needs help, hold the urinal in place while they urinate.
  4. Cover the person with a sheet or blanket for privacy, if possible. If you can leave them alone safely, leave the room to give more privacy.
  5. When the person is done urinating, carefully remove the urinal.
  6. Help the person wipe if needed. If wiping the vulva, be sure to wipe from front to back. If you use a wet wipe or a washcloth, dry the area between the person's legs after wiping.
  7. Empty the urinal into the toilet.
  8. Rinse and wash the urinal using a disinfectant diluted with water. Dry the urinal or let it air-dry.
  9. Take off your gloves and throw them away. Wash your hands again with soap and water.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.

© 1995-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

Related Links

Caregiving: Using a Bedside Commode (Toilet) Caregiving: Overview of Personal Care

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About Cigna Healthcare Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details