Illustrative picture. We confirm the exact model with your price.
Bed pan
A shaped pan for use in bed by someone who cannot get up.
Good forBed-bound people
- Price and delivery confirmed first
- A nurse can advise before you buy
- Set-up help when it is needed
What it is, and who it helps
A bed pan is a shallow, shaped container that a person uses while lying or sitting up in bed, for passing urine or opening the bowels. It is used by people who cannot get to a toilet or a commode, for example after an operation or during a serious illness.
Using a bed pan is easier and more comfortable with the right type, a little practice and a patient carer.
How to choose
- Choose a standard pan for most people and a slim fracture pan for those who cannot lift their hips.
- Pick a smooth, easy-to-clean material with a comfortable rim.
- Look for a model with a handle and a lid, and consider a disposable liner.
- Keep a cover cloth and wipes nearby.
Using it safely
- Warm the pan with warm water and dry it before use, protect the bed with a waterproof pad, and help the person into position slowly.
- Wash hands before and after, and clean the pan with a suitable disinfectant.
- Check the skin for redness at each use, and ask a nurse for help if lifting is difficult.
Before you buy
Is a bed pan comfortable?
It can be awkward at first. A warm pan, a pillow under the back and privacy help.
Could a commode be better?
If the person can be helped to sit up and move, a bedside commode is usually more comfortable and dignified.
More in Incontinence and hygiene · Care plans · Services · Skin care after 60
General information, not medical advice. Ask a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist what is right for your parent.
Not sure this is the right one?
A nurse can suggest the right choice, arrange delivery and show how to use it.