Urinal (health care)
Encyclopedia
A urinal is a bottle for urination
. It is most frequently used in health care for patients who find it impossible or difficult to get out of bed. Urinals allow the patient who has cognition and movement of their arms to toilet
independently.
Urinals can also be used for measuring the amount of urine produced by a patient on input & output (I & O), even if not used by the patient for toileting.
Generally, patients who are able to are encouraged to walk to the bathroom or use a bedside commode as opposed to a urinal. The prolonged use of a urinal has been shown to lead to constipation
or trouble urinating.
Urinals are most frequently used for male patients due to western society's belief that they are easier to use with male anatomy. While female urinals exist, some believe they are more difficult to use, and the common practice for females is to use a bedpan
. Female urinals require a wider opening and must be placed between the legs. For many women, female urinals are more practical in a wheelchair rather than in a bed.
Urination
Urination, also known as micturition, voiding, peeing, weeing, pissing, and more rarely, emiction, is the ejection of urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body. In healthy humans the process of urination is under voluntary control...
. It is most frequently used in health care for patients who find it impossible or difficult to get out of bed. Urinals allow the patient who has cognition and movement of their arms to toilet
Toileting
In health care, toileting is the act of assisting a dependent patient with his/her elimination needs. Depending on a patient's condition, his/her toileting needs may need to be met differently. This could be by assisting the patient to walk to a bathroom, to a portable commode, onto a bedpan, or to...
independently.
Urinals can also be used for measuring the amount of urine produced by a patient on input & output (I & O), even if not used by the patient for toileting.
Generally, patients who are able to are encouraged to walk to the bathroom or use a bedside commode as opposed to a urinal. The prolonged use of a urinal has been shown to lead to constipation
Constipation
Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. Constipation is a common cause of painful defecation...
or trouble urinating.
Urinals are most frequently used for male patients due to western society's belief that they are easier to use with male anatomy. While female urinals exist, some believe they are more difficult to use, and the common practice for females is to use a bedpan
Bedpan
A bedpan or bed pan is an object used for the toileting of a bedridden patient in a health care facility, usually made of a metal, glass, or plastic receptacle. A bed pan can be used for both urinary and fecal discharge. Many diseases can confine a patient to bed, necessitating the use of bedpans,...
. Female urinals require a wider opening and must be placed between the legs. For many women, female urinals are more practical in a wheelchair rather than in a bed.