Diapers in hospital

[Elli]

I have family who work on a re-hab ward with many stroke patients. The hospital varies in its incontinence supply orders depending on who is in charge. For a time they used the nappy style ones, as well as lighter pads no doubt, but a new ward manager chose to only order in the large pad type because they were believed to be more dignified for the patients. So I think they use both.

Of course, with stroke patients continence is a frequent issue, as some suffer paralysis, often down one side, and so some face incontinence.

I've also seen an elderly man in the nursing home, in PJ's with a nappy on. The man was 'muddled' through dementia and was in his arm chair. I was a kid, maybe 8 or 9 and I thought he looked really harmless, vacant and kind of sweet. Actually, he could be aggressive, the poor guy. Anyway, they do use nappies in some wards and in some nursing homes.

Back in those days, the nursing home used plastic/rubbery sheets on the beds, which for some unknown reason, was called a 'kylie'. Now, at least in the ward I know of, they use the disposable bed pads.

About pressure sores, I noticed that some nursing homes use ripple cushions or mattresses. That is, a sort of inflated cushion with various air chambers and probably a pump, to distribute and alternate the weight of the person and help keep skin healthier. Maybe that's what they do when pads/nappies are unavoidable.

[frank2ab]

I am incontinent and have been in the hospital (short stays) on several occasions. Even being incontinent, I have had to insist on being diapered rather than have a catheter used on me. I had to specifically tell the doctor that I wanted to be diapered and insist he put it in my orders. The nursing staff initially did not seem to like it much and a few nurses tried to convince me a cath would be better. I should mention here that they did use a cath on me for the surgery and put it in and took it out while I was under anesthesia.

Hospital diapers are indeed terrible and I always take my own (usually abri-flex air plus) to use. I had one nurse tell me how impressed he was with the diapers as they did not leak like the hospital ones did. It saved having to change more than just the diaper after I wet.

[tommy1k2]

I wore diapers in the hospital when I was 9. But it makes sense to promote independence. I tend to think it wouldn't be encouraged.

[MixyNyxi]

Originally Posted by Fire_lupine06

Mixy ...what if the person is already incontinent and diapered when they come in?

If the person normally wears diapers at home, that would be one of the exceptions...however, diapers would still be discouraged during the hospital stay. Assuming that the cause of the hospitalization removed some ability to get out of bed and move and/or reduced ability for self care, then diapers would become more damaging to the skin than they would normally be. Diapers are terrible for the skin. They allow no breathing and bodily fluids just sit on the skin, continually damaging it. So once again, if the patient insisted upon it, then we would probably do it. However coming in having worn diapers doesn't automatically mean the staff would not even question it and keep doing it, especially after a disease/procedure that rendered the patient less capable of self care compared to their baseline.

And the whole doctor writing an order for them is a likely scenario depending on where you work. Since they are so damaging, one might get in trouble if skin breakdown does occur unless it is documented (in every place possible and doctor's orders help too) that the patient requested their use. It's the reality of the society we live in.

Plus many insurance companies won't pay hospitals now for any pressure ulcer (or new disease even) that occurs during a patient's stay, if you are looking for a financial reason so many hospitals are clamping down on diaper use. Hospitals eat the cost of care for these new conditions/wounds. Thus, they are more proactive in preventing them than in the past. Sad it takes money to move the beast...but money makes the world go 'round I guess....

[mskvor]

Thanks for your replies, it has confirmed what I have believed. I was just wondering that the situation & policy would be so different abroad from the one here ( Czech rep.) and I see that it isn't. ;-)

[MATTTYCO]

When I spent several weeks in the hospital, I came in wearing my own diapers and was told by the DR that they could provide me with depends (per order) and instead I got some really shitty ones that leaked all the time.. so i asked my mom to bring me some real depends and was changed the first week by the nurse and then once recovered did it myself either in the bathroom or shower. they were always telling me to wipe down with a cloth to keep clean, i did at first then got wet-ones cuz the cloths were rough on my skin

[jsmitty]

A while ago I was in hospital with pneumonia and asked the nurses if i could wear diapers, I must admit it was pretty fun having someone change you but the diapers were crappy and leaked a lot.

[Johnathon]

How is an adult different then a baby being in diapers?

Adults skin is much tougher than a baby, so if it is so bad to be in diapers while at the hospital, how come it isn't bad for a young baby to wear them for 3 years? I don't see how it doesn't hurt babies bad but hurts adults?

Reasonable explanations to this?

[oblivionxi1]

Originally Posted by Johnathon

How is an adult different then a baby being in diapers?

Adults skin is much tougher than a baby, so if it is so bad to be in diapers while at the hospital, how come it isn't bad for a young baby to wear them for 3 years? I don't see how it doesn't hurt babies bad but hurts adults?

Reasonable explanations to this?

If your in the hospital, chances are your body is weakened. It might not have the ablilty to heal properly, causing major problems if you get a rash. If the baby is healthy, then it is usually okay as long as you don't leave them in a wet diaper for too long. (causing rash, which is immediatly treated because you will know when they have a rash. And man is it loud...)

[AByHeaven]

I believe every word of that about Hospitals and Diapers that Mixy said. It is very rare and mostly not likely to happen either. I've seen and heard about it from several others and can confirm it as well.