Incontinent Brief

Incontinent Brief 

Purpose: 

To provide disposable briefs for residents who are totally incontinent to ensure comfort, hygiene, and dignity around the clock. 

Procedure: 

I. Provision of Incontinence Briefs: 

• Residents who experience incontinent episodes will be provided with a well-fitting incontinence brief. 

• If a resident has the ability to control these episodes at times, a pull-up brief or a pad may be used. 

II. Monitoring and Changing: 

• Residents will be checked every two hours, or as care planned, for the need to have their brief changed. 

• If a resident is incontinent at night, a nighttime brief will be applied. It will be applied at the hour of sleep and removed (if incontinent) on the last rounds of the 11-7 shift. 

• The 11-7 shift will continue to check if the resident has had a bowel movement, which would then necessitate changing the brief, or if the brief has become saturated. 

• The 11-7 shift will continue to reposition residents who need it every 2 hours or as care planned. 

III. Documentation: 

• Document the condition of the brief and any changes made during each check in the resident’s care plan. 

• Note any signs of skin irritation or breakdown and report to the supervising nurse for further evaluation and care as necessary. 

References: 

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) State Operations Manual (SOM) 

• Requirements of Participation for Long-Term Care Facilities