How to Manage a Urinary Incontinent Patient

Urinary incontinence contributes to lowered skin integrity when managed improperly. Decubitus ulcers, known as bedsores, are aggravated by constant contact of the skin to urine. Patients who are urinary incontinent must be kept clean and dry for their comfort and health.

Things You'll Need

• Perineal pads
• Absorbent underwear
• Washcloths
• Personal care wipes
• Absorbent bed pads
• Catheter
• Gloves
• Urinary collection container
• Alcohol pads

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Instructions

• 1

  Provide the patient with perineal pads if only mildly incontinent. These are pads that are placed in the underwear with an adhesive side or an elastic belt. Discuss diet changes to induce weight loss if the patient is overweight. Extra weight causes pressure on the bladder, reducing bladder control in some individuals. Add sturdy handrails beside toilets for in-home patients who are mobile and independent.

• 2

  Perform total incontinent care for bedridden patients and those with no bladder control. Use diaper-style absorbent underwear with the proper absorbency level. Measure the patient around the waist and hips to determine the correct size of underwear needed. Prevent leakage by using the exact size recommended; larger underwear may be easier to put on a patient but will leak around the leg openings.

• 3

  Use white washcloths washed in perfume-free detergent to clean the perineal area after an incontinent episode. Soak in a warm water and mild soap mixture. Wipe the soiled area downward, away from the pubic bone or stomach area. Special perineal wipes can be used in place of washcloths, water and soap. Use the same wiping procedure for washcloths with wipes.

• 4

  Place absorbent bed pads on the center of the bed directly under the hips of the incontinent patient. Remove and replace with a clean, dry pad in the morning for the mildly incontinent or as soon as soiled for the fully incontinent.

• 5

  Check catheters on an hourly basis for patients who use them. To ensure a clean leg or bed bag, empty when half full. Wearing gloves, place the drain tube of the catheter bag into a urine collection container. Wipe the end of the catheter bag drain with an alcohol pad before replacing cap or sliding into its holder. Empty the collection container into the toilet.