How To Use And Change Disposable Briefs

What are disposable briefs?

Disposable briefs, such as Depends™, are underpants that are thrown away after they have been used once. They are used by people with incontinence (n-KON-ten-nence). Incontinence means the person is not able to control bowel movements (BMs) or urination.

Why do I need them?

Disposable briefs keep BMs and urine from leaking and getting your clothes or bed dirty and wet. They are used by people who cannot control their urine or bowel movements. This includes people who must stay in bed or in a wheelchair. Sometimes people who can walk use these briefs to avoid leaking urine or BM onto their clothes.

What kind of briefs should I use?

Disposable briefs come in many different sizes and styles. Some have elastic on the legs to prevent leaks. Some are smaller and are worn during the day. Others are larger, thicker, and made to wear during the night. You can buy disposable briefs at drug or grocery stores. The briefs usually have tape on the sides to help them fit better.

Checklist for changing a disposable brief on a person in bed:

• __ 1. Gather your supplies.
  
  
  • Toilet paper or disposable wet wipes.
    
    
  • Bowl of warm water.
    
    
  • Soap or cleansing foam.
    
    
  • Two or more clean washcloths.
    
    
  • Bath towel and waterproof pad.
    
    
  • Disposable gloves.
    
    
  • Clean brief.
  
  
• __ 2. Put on disposable gloves.
  
  
• __ 3. Get the person ready.
  
  
  • Tuck a waterproof pad under the person's buttocks (rear-end) to protect the bed from spills.
    
    
  • Undo the tape on both sides of the brief.
    
    
  • Turn the person on one side and bend his upper knee toward his chest.
    
    
  • Wrap the dirty brief over itself to cover the soiled area inside.
  
  
• __ 4. Clean and dry the person's skin.
  
  
  • Wipe between the person's legs and rear-end with toilet paper or wet wipes.
    
    
  • Clean the area with a washcloth, soap, and water. If the person is a female, always wipe from front to back. Use a different part of the washcloth each time you wipe from front to back.
    
    
  • Gently pat the area dry with a clean bath towel.
  
  
• __ 5. Check the person's skin for sores and redness. Call the person's caregiver if you see:
  
  
  • Sores that are new, or sores that are spreading or growing larger.
    
    
  • A red rash. The rash may have pimple-like bumps that are scattered across the skin area. The person may have a skin infection. The caregiver may need to give the person special medicine to treat the rash.
    
    
  • Redness and dryness that is spreading.
  
  
• __ 6. Open the new disposable brief all the way. Tuck half of the clean brief as far as possible under the person.
  
  
• __ 7. Roll the person to a flat position.
  
  
  • Raise the side rail. Go to the other side of the bed and lower the side rail.
    
    
  • Roll the person so that he is facing away from you.
    
    
  • Remove the dirty brief.
    
    
  • Clean between the legs and rear-end on the other side. Follow steps 4 and 5 of this checklist.
  
  
• __ 8. Finish putting on the new brief.
  
  
  • Spread the other half of the clean brief so that it is flat on the bed.
    
    
  • Roll the person on his back and fasten the tapes on both sides of the brief.
    
    
  • Place the used briefs in a bag and close the top tightly. Throw it in a trash can.
    
    
  • Remove your gloves and throw them away.
    
    
  • Always wash your hands after changing a disposable brief.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how to change disposable briefs. You can then discuss your treatment options with your caregiver. You can work with your caregiver to decide what care will be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.