User:FuturepharmD2025/Bedpan

Infection
On the other hand, the material is more difficult to sterilize, and may become a reservoir for microorganisms.

Managing proper hygiene and cleaning of bedpans for bedridden individuals is important to reduce the risk of infection. Used bedpans contain bodily fluids and wastes and can either be reused through disinfection or disposed of. Washer disinfectors are instruments used to disinfect used bedpans with high temperatures of at least 80°C.

As mentioned previously, bedpans commonly come in stainless steel because of its durability and ease of cleaning. However, compared to other metals like copper, steel does not have an inherent ability to disinfect. Copper has had some antimicrobial indications dating back to the 19th century as some copper workers appeared immune to cholera or using copper to treat infections/infectious complications.

Alternatives
Portable urinals, emesis basins, suction canisters, specimen collectors, catheter bags

For individuals who are bedridden or have trouble with urinary incontinence, urinary catheters can get rid of fluid wastes; however fecal matter may still require use of a bedpan/other instruments. Indwelling urinary catheters are catheters that can be used for years and akin to bedpans come either as a drainage bag which is disposed of after single usage or a leg bag which can be cleaned/reused. A common complication of long-term catheter usage is asymptomatic bacteriuria.