International Round Table Discussion: The Challenges of Providing Dignified Bathroom Care

Introduction

One of the most fundamental and essential elements of providing good care for patients in whatever setting, is to adopt a dignified and respectful approach to assisting them to the bathroom. For many patients the loss of the ability to be independent in this most private activity can produce a lot of stress and potential complications. It is not unusual for a patient to tell you they don’t want to drink as that means they need to go to the toilet. Not only does this increase their risk of UTI, and constipation, but can also lead to the very problems they actually fear, such as incontinence. Providing the balance between safety (more falls occur in and on the way to the bathroom) and privacy is a challenge but when managed correctly, can make a big difference to how the patient perceives their stay in a facility setting or when being cared for at home. This round table discussion between 3 expert clinicians and researchers from the USA and The Netherlands discusses these challenges and some of the solutions to providing an optimum, safe, dignified bathroom experience.

Graham P, Knibbe H, Turner R

Keywords: falls prevention, patient safety, toileting, bathroom, safe patient handling, technology