Tessa Quinn
Urinals are devices that allow people to urinate while in bed. They are typically used by patients who are unable to walk to the bathroom due to illness, injury, or surgery. Urinals can be made for either male or female anatomy, and some individuals may find them easier to use than bedpans. When assisting someone with a urinal, it is important to remain calm and relaxed to help the person feel more comfortable. This involves gathering the necessary supplies, such as gloves, toilet paper, and a urinal, and ensuring the patient's privacy. The urinal should be positioned correctly to collect the urine, and the patient should be assisted with wiping and dressing if needed. After use, the urinal should be emptied into a toilet, rinsed with disinfectant, and dried before being stored away.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who uses it | Male patients who cannot walk to the bathroom due to illness, injury, or surgery |
| Purpose | To allow patients to urinate safely and privately without having to leave their bed |
| Types | Reusable and disposable; some are made for men and others for women |
| Supplies | Urinal, gloves, toilet paper or wet wipes, and a protective pad or towel |
| Positioning | Patient should be in a comfortable and safe position, which could be sitting or standing; the bed should be locked with wheels locked and rails raised |
| Procedure | Wash and dry hands, put on gloves, help the patient with their pants, position the urinal, provide privacy, and help the patient with wiping if needed |
| After urination | Remove the urinal, empty it into the toilet, rinse and wash the urinal, dry it, throw away gloves, and wash hands |
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What You'll Learn
How to help a man use a urinal
If you are helping a man use a urinal, it is important to remain calm and relaxed. If you are comfortable, the person you're assisting is more likely to feel comfortable too.
First, gather your supplies: you will need a urinal, gloves, and toilet paper or wet wipes. Wash and dry your hands, and put on gloves. Ask the person you're assisting to lower or unzip their pants, and offer help if needed. Assist the patient into the position they are most comfortable with—this may be a high sitting or standing position.
Next, ask the person to position the urinal so that urine will flow into it. If needed, help them spread their legs and position the urinal. If the resident has discomfort, a washcloth can be placed around the rim of the urinal to prevent skin issues. Keep the urinal level to prevent urine spillage. If the person needs help, hold the urinal in place while they urinate.
When the person is done urinating, carefully remove the urinal and help them wipe if needed. Measure and record the urine output as required, noting any changes in colour, clarity, sediment, or unusual odour. Empty the urinal into the toilet and rinse it with disinfectant diluted with water. Dry the urinal or let it air dry, then store it on a bed rail near the patient. Remove and dispose of your gloves, and wash your hands again.
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How to help a woman use a urinal
Female urinals are designed for the female anatomy to allow for ease of use by women and girls. They are useful for women who are injured, bedridden, or facing severe, immobilizing pain and can be used as an alternative to bedpans. Female urinals can be used in a variety of postures, including standing, semi-squatting, squatting, or sitting. Here are some detailed instructions on how to help a woman use a urinal:
Choose the Right Urinal:
Select a female urinal that matches the user's posture, voiding volumes, and ease of positioning and removal. If the woman is unassisted, consider her functional ability, including her ability to tilt her pelvis, separate her thighs, support her weight on her hands and arms, and move between lying and sitting positions. If the woman needs frequent assistance, choose a urinal with a smaller capacity that can be emptied often. If she has a normal bladder function and has to wait for help, opt for a urinal with a larger capacity.
Prepare the Urinal:
If the urinal has a drainage bag, attach it to the urinal to collect the urine for easy disposal. Ensure that the urinal is clean and safe for use, especially if it is a public urinal. Some urinals, like PEEQUAL, provide hand sanitizer for hygiene.
Guide the User to a Comfortable Position:
Assist the user in finding a comfortable position for urinating. Female urinals can be used while sitting, standing, or lying down, depending on the user's comfort and any injuries they may have. For example, if the woman has pain in her knees or hips, she may prefer to use the urinal while standing to avoid squatting or putting weight on her joints. If she cannot stand, she may choose to sit in a chair with her pelvis tilted slightly forward and her legs apart.
Place the Urinal:
Help the user place the urinal between her legs, ensuring that the cup or tube is positioned directly under her urethra. If the woman is in bed and using a body support device, you may need to assist her in placing the urinal under her thighs.
Guide the User to Tilt their Pelvis:
Instruct the user to tilt their pelvis forward slightly, aiming into the urinal. This will help them direct the urine flow into the urinal effectively.
By following these steps, you can help a woman use a urinal successfully and provide her with a dignified and comfortable experience.
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Preparing the patient for urination
If the patient is in bed, adjust the bed to a safe working height. Lock the bed wheels and raise the head of the bed to put the patient in a sitting position. Alternatively, assist the patient in moving to a standing position. Place a protective pad or towel under the patient's hips, if necessary. If the patient is weak, do not leave them alone.
Provide privacy by covering the patient with a blanket if they are in bed. Wash and dry your hands well, and put on gloves. If the patient is able, hand them the urinal. If the patient requires assistance, place the urinal between the patient's legs. Assist the patient into the position they are most comfortable and can safely assume during urination.
If the patient is male, position the head of the penis into the urinal, ensuring it is completely inside the container. If the patient is female, they may find it easier to use a bedpan. Run warm water over the bedpan and dry it. Check that a metal bedpan is not too hot before placing it under the patient. Sprinkle baby powder on the edge of the bedpan to make it easier to slide under the patient.
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Positioning the urinal
Preparing the Patient and the Environment
Before offering the urinal, ensure the patient is comfortable and able to use it. Assist the patient in moving to a sitting position in bed or at the side of the bed, or help them to stand if they prefer. Adjust the bed to a safe working height and lock the bed wheels to ensure stability. If the patient is in bed, place a protective pad or towel under their hips to protect the bed from spills. Provide privacy by covering the patient with a blanket or leaving the room if they do not require assistance.
If the patient is able to hold the urinal, hand it to them. Otherwise, assist them in spreading their legs and carefully place the urinal between their legs. Ensure the head of the penis is inside the urinal and completely inside the container. If the patient needs help, hold the urinal in place while they urinate. Be patient and allow for quiet during this time.
Post-Use Procedures
After the patient has finished urinating, carefully remove the urinal and help the patient with wiping or dressing if needed. Wash and dry your hands, and put on a new pair of gloves. Empty the urinal into a toilet and rinse and wash it using a disinfectant diluted with water. Dry the urinal or let it air dry. Finally, remove your gloves, wash your hands again, and dispose of the gloves appropriately.
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Cleaning and disposing of urine
In a hospital setting, urine is considered a bodily fluid and is generated in large quantities. Unless the urine is contaminated with other infectious materials, such as blood or pathogens, it is typically regarded as general waste and can be disposed of in regular waste streams. However, if urine is contaminated, it must be disposed of as medical waste.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides guidelines for the proper disposal of urine in medical settings. Urine collection containers are not considered regulated waste under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard unless the sample is contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Urine containers and pregnancy tests that do not contain visible blood can be disposed of in regular garbage, although some facilities may choose to discard them in biohazard containers.
Medical labs must adhere to specific regulations and guidelines when disposing of urine specimen collection kits to maintain a safe and hygienic environment. Governing bodies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and OSHA have set regulations that must be followed. Urine specimen collection kits should be segregated from other medical waste to prevent cross-contamination and disposed of in separate, leak-proof containers to prevent spills or leaks.
Staff members responsible for disposal should be trained on proper procedures and protocols to minimize the risk of exposure to infectious materials. When handling urine specimen collection kits, staff should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, gowns, and masks. Until disposal, the kits should be stored in designated areas away from other laboratory materials, and these storage areas should be clearly marked and labeled as biohazardous waste zones. Common disposal methods for urine specimen collection kits include incineration, autoclaving, and chemical treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Wash your hands and put on gloves. If the patient is in bed, adjust the bed to a safe working height, lock the bed wheels, and raise the head of the bed to put the patient in a comfortable sitting position. If the patient is standing, assist them to stand.
If the patient is able, hand them the urinal. If they require assistance, place the urinal between their legs and position the head of the penis into the urinal, ensuring it is completely inside the container.
Remove the urinal and help the patient wipe if needed. If wiping the vulva, wipe from front to back. Use a wet wipe or a washcloth to clean the area, and then dry the area between the patient's legs. Lower the bed to the lowest height, ensure the bed rails are raised, and then remove the urinal and supplies. Measure and record the urine output. Dispose of the urine into a toilet. Rinse and wash the urinal using a disinfectant diluted with water. Dry the urinal or let it air dry. Take off your gloves and throw them away. Wash your hands again with soap and water.
