Assisting With the Use of a Urinal

Goal: The patient is able to void with assistance.

1. Review the patient’s chart for any limitations in physical activity.

2. Bring urinal and other necessary equipment to the bedside stand or overbed table.

3. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.

4. Identify the patient.

5. Close the curtains around the bed and close the door to the room, if possible. Discuss procedure with patient and assess the patient’s ability to assist with the procedure, as well as personal hygiene preferences.

6. Put on gloves.

7. Assist the patient to an appropriate position, as necessary: standing at the bedside, lying on one side or back, sitting in bed with the head elevated, or sitting on the side of the bed.

8. If the patient remains in the bed, fold the linens just enough to allow for proper placement of the urinal.

9. If the patient is not standing, have him spread his legs slightly. Hold the urinal close to the penis and position the penis completely within the urinal. Keep the bottom of the urinal lower than the penis. If necessary, assist the patient to hold the urinal in place.

10. Cover the patient with the bed linens.

11. Place call bell and toilet tissue within easy reach. Have a receptacle, such as plastic trash bag, handy for discarding tissue. Ensure the bed is in the lowest position. Leave patient if it is safe to do so. Use side rails appropriately.

12. Remove gloves and additional PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene. Removing the Urinal

13. Perform hand hygiene. Put on gloves and additional PPE, as indicated.

14. Pull back the patient’s bed linens just enough to remove the urinal. Remove the urinal. Cover the open end of the urinal. Place on the bedside chair. If patient needs assistance with hygiene, wrap tissue around the hand several times, and wipe patient clean. Place tissue in receptacle.

15. Return the patient to a comfortable position. Make sure the linens under the patient are dry. Remove your gloves and ensure that the patient is covered.

16. Ensure patient call bell is in reach.

17. Offer patient supplies to wash and dry his hands, assisting as necessary.

18. Put on clean gloves. Empty and clean the urinal, measuring urine in graduated container, as necessary. Discard trash receptacle with used toilet paper per facility policy.

19. Remove gloves and additional PPE, if used, and perform hand hygiene.