Cleaning Bedpans and Urinals

Cleaning bedpans and urinals is not glamorous, but it is frontline infection control. The CDC reports that about one in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI), and careful cleaning of reusable equipment like bedpans and urinals is part of what keeps that number from climbing. Here is how to handle and clean them correctly.

Equipment

• Personal protective equipment (gowns, disposable gloves, masks, eye protection)
• Tray with bedpan brush and bedpan swab
• Hospital-grade disinfectant cleaner
• Disposable towels or cloths
• Paper towels
• Waste disposal bags

Manual Cleaning, Step by Step

Manual cleaning means washing, disinfecting, and drying so the equipment is safe to reuse. Do it the same way every time.

1. Put on disposable gloves, a protective apron, and eye protection. Manual washing can spread infection through you, the surroundings, and the still-contaminated bedpan. PPE limits your exposure to pathogens and chemicals.

2. Empty the contents into the appropriate toilet or disposal system. This keeps the cleaning area from getting contaminated.

3. Rinse with warm water to remove remaining waste and prep the item for cleaning.

4. Apply disinfectant. Spray or pour hospital-grade disinfectant onto all surfaces. This kills the bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that cause infection.

5. Scrub all surfaces with a brush or sponge, working into corners and crevices. Scrubbing physically removes biofilm and residue that harbor pathogens.

6. Rinse thoroughly with warm water to clear all disinfectant and loosened debris, so no chemical residue is left to irritate skin or mucous membranes.

7. Dry completely with disposable towels. Residual fluid is a reservoir for microorganisms, so use disposable cloths to avoid recontaminating the item.

8. Inspect. Check for any remaining stains or residue. Reclean until it meets cleanliness standards.

9. Dispose of waste and PPE properly to keep contaminants from spreading.

10. Wash your hands with liquid soap and warm water, dry with a paper towel, and dispose of it. Hand hygiene is the step that ties the whole thing together.

Alternatives to Manual Washing

Manual washing is labor-intensive and slow. It wears staff down and invites inconsistent cleaning and cross-contamination. Two alternatives:

1. Bedpan washers and disinfectors. Automated machines that clean and disinfect bedpans, urinals, and similar equipment. They cut the staff workload and give a reliable, monitored clean for safe reuse.

2. Disposable bedpans and urinals. Single-use items skip cleaning entirely, which is the highest level of infection control, though they carry cost and environmental tradeoffs.