What is the difference between a fracture pan and a regular pan?

According to the CDC, over 300,000 Americans age 65 and older are hospitalized for hip fractures annually. For those with limited mobility, using the correct toileting equipment is essential for recovery. Understanding what is the difference between a fracture pan and a regular pan is the first step toward providing comfortable and dignified care.

Quick Summary

A fracture pan features a tapered, low-profile design to easily slide under patients who cannot raise their hips due to injury or immobility. In contrast, a regular bedpan has a deeper, more rounded toilet-like shape, requiring the patient to sit up for proper use. The choice depends on the patient's specific mobility limitations to ensure safety and comfort.

Key Points

• Tapered vs. Bowl: A fracture pan is tapered and low-profile, while a regular bedpan is deeper and shaped like a toilet bowl.

• Mobility is Key: The fracture pan is for patients who cannot lift their hips, such as those with hip fractures, whereas the regular pan is for more mobile patients.

• Easier Positioning: The fracture pan's low, flat end allows it to be slid under the patient with minimal lifting, reducing discomfort and caregiver effort.

• Capacity Differences: Regular bedpans typically have a larger capacity for waste than the slimmer fracture pans.

• Minimize Risk: Using the correct bedpan minimizes patient movement, reducing the risk of injury or re-injury, especially after a hip or spinal procedure.

• Material Matters: Both pans come in plastic and metal, but plastic is generally preferred for comfort as it is not as cold against the skin.

Design and Shape: The Core Distinction

The most significant distinction between these two toileting aids lies in their fundamental design, which directly impacts their function and suitability for different patients. The purpose of a fracture pan is to minimize patient movement, while a standard bedpan assumes the user has a greater degree of mobility.

The Fracture Pan: Built for Limited Mobility

A fracture pan is specifically engineered for patients who cannot lift their hips due to a recent injury, surgery, or extreme weakness. Its characteristic features include:

• Tapered, Low Profile: One end is low and flat, typically less than an inch high, allowing it to be easily slid under the patient's buttocks with minimal lifting. The other end is higher to contain waste.
• Dustpan-like Shape: Its overall shape is flatter and more elongated than a regular bedpan, resembling a dustpan.
• Integrated Handle: A handle is usually built into the high, or foot-facing, end, making it easier for caregivers to position and remove the pan.

The Regular Bedpan: For More Mobile Patients

Conversely, a regular or standard bedpan is for individuals who can be helped into a seated or semi-seated position. Its design mirrors a traditional toilet seat.

• Bowl-like Contour: The pan features a wide, rounded rim that the patient sits on, similar to a toilet.
• Higher Sides and Deeper: It has taller walls and is deeper overall, providing a larger capacity for waste.
• No Tapered End: The height is uniform or features a slightly higher back, which necessitates the patient lifting their hips significantly to be placed on it.

Who Should Use Each Type of Pan?

The medical condition of the patient dictates which bedpan is appropriate. Using the wrong type can cause pain, increase the risk of injury, or make the task unnecessarily difficult for both the patient and the caregiver.

Ideal Candidates for a Fracture Pan

• Hip Fractures or Surgery: Patients recovering from a broken hip or a hip replacement surgery have severely limited mobility and cannot lift their hips. The low profile of a fracture pan is critical for their safety and comfort.
• Spinal Injuries: Those with back or spinal issues where movement is restricted to prevent further injury.
• Post-Operative or Critical Illness: Individuals who are severely weakened or exhausted and cannot exert the energy to reposition themselves.

Ideal Candidates for a Regular Bedpan

• Increased Mobility: Patients who can be assisted in raising their hips or shifting their weight to accommodate the deeper pan.
• Greater Capacity Needs: Individuals who produce a larger volume of waste, as the regular pan's increased depth reduces the risk of spillage.
• Temporary Confinement: Patients with temporary bedrest orders due to less severe ailments where major hip movement is not prohibited.

A Detailed Comparison at a Glance

Feature	Fracture Pan	Regular Bedpan
Shape	Tapered, with a low, flat end and a higher end	Rounded, bowl-like, with a high profile all around
Placement	Slides under the patient with minimal hip lifting	Requires the patient to lift their hips to a seated position
Primary User	Patients with limited or no hip mobility (e.g., hip fracture)	Patients who can sit up or be assisted into a sitting position
Risk of Injury	Lower risk, as it requires less patient movement	Higher risk if patient cannot lift hips, causing potential strain
Capacity	Generally smaller capacity for waste	Larger capacity for liquids and solids
Caregiver Effort	Easier to position and remove, especially with a handle	More effort required to reposition and stabilize the patient

How Caregivers Use Each Pan Safely

Using either pan effectively and safely requires specific techniques to ensure patient comfort and hygiene. Caregivers must be well-versed in the proper procedure for the pan being used.

Using a Fracture Pan

1. Preparation: Gather supplies (pan, gloves, wipes) and explain the process to the patient. Wear gloves.
2. Positioning: With the patient on their back, roll them to one side. Position the pan with the low, flat end under the patient's buttocks and the handle facing toward the patient's feet.
3. Finalize Position: Gently roll the patient back onto the pan. A pillow can be used to slightly elevate the head of the bed to aid elimination.
4. Removal: When finished, roll the patient back to the side, carefully holding the pan firmly to prevent spills, and remove it.

Using a Regular Bedpan

1. Preparation: Follow the same preparatory steps as with the fracture pan.
2. Positioning: Ask the patient to bend their knees and lift their hips. Assist by placing one hand under the small of their back to support them as they lift. Place the pan firmly under their buttocks.
3. Finalize Position: Help the patient rest their weight on the pan and provide a bedsheet for privacy.
4. Removal: When done, ask the patient to lift their hips again. Use one hand to support their back and the other to remove the pan firmly. Clean the patient and dispose of the waste.

Practical Considerations for Patient Comfort

Beyond the functional differences, several factors contribute to the patient's experience. Making the process as comfortable and dignified as possible is crucial.

• Material and Temperature: Most pans are now made from plastic, which is easier to warm up and less shocking to the skin than cold metal pans. Stainless steel options are also available and are generally more durable.
• Non-stick Surfaces: Many modern plastic fracture pans feature a non-stick surface, which simplifies the cleaning process significantly.
• Minimizing Pressure: The longer a patient remains on a bedpan, the higher the risk of pressure ulcers. This is particularly relevant for the fracture pan, where the patient is lying down. It is essential to remove the pan promptly after use.
• Bedpan Liners: For added convenience and mess reduction, disposable bedpan liners are a useful accessory for both types of pans.

Conclusion

Knowing what is the difference between a fracture pan and a regular pan is vital for anyone involved in patient care. The fracture pan's low, tapered design is the safer, more comfortable choice for patients with limited hip mobility, while the deeper regular pan is for those with more movement. By choosing the correct tool and following proper procedure, caregivers can ensure patient dignity, safety, and a more comfortable experience during a period of recovery. For more medical information and guidelines, you can consult resources like the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) on bedpan management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a person with a broken hip use a regular bedpan?

No, a person with a broken hip or recovering from hip surgery should not use a regular bedpan. The regular pan requires significant hip movement to position, which could cause severe pain and re-injury. A fracture pan is specifically designed for this purpose.

How do you position a fracture pan under a patient?

To position a fracture pan, roll the patient gently to their side. Place the low, flat end of the pan under their buttocks, with the handle pointing toward their feet. Then, roll the patient back onto the pan.

Which bedpan is more comfortable for a bedridden person?

For a patient who cannot move easily, a fracture pan is more comfortable because it requires less repositioning and lifting. However, for a patient with more mobility, the seated position on a regular bedpan can feel more natural.

What are the advantages of a plastic bedpan over a metal one?

Plastic bedpans are generally more popular because they are less cold against the patient's skin and often cheaper. However, stainless steel versions can be more durable and autoclavable.

Are bedpan liners available for both types of pans?

Yes, disposable bedpan liners are available for both fracture pans and regular bedpans. They are helpful for minimizing mess and simplifying cleanup.

Is a fracture pan only for patients with fractures?

Despite the name, a fracture pan is not only for patients with fractures. It is also the recommended choice for any patient with limited hip mobility, such as those with spinal problems, severe illness, or post-operative weakness.

How do you clean a fracture or regular bedpan?

After emptying the contents into a toilet, bedpans should be washed with warm, soapy water and disinfected. For home use, it is best to clean them in a dedicated space like a bathtub to avoid cross-contamination with food prep areas.