Poo, glorious Poo

Takes getting used to like anything else. Distract your mind, and hold your breath as much as possible

Honestly, I still retch at the smell. Best tips are:

Vicks under the nose
Tuck a antiseptic wipe under the neck of your apron
Spray your shoulders with perfume (not kidding, just turn your head to the side when it gets bad)

You'll gradually become immune.

ugh yeah im trying to do the 'breath through the mouth' technique, i tried opening a window on tuesday in the sluice room, but ended up throwing out of it

you know what, i may try that!

The thing with that is that I'm always semi-concious of the smell, so I always imagine the poo particles going into my mouth and I just can't take more than a couple of breaths before thinking "this isn't going to work...".

Apparently when you flush the toilet "poo particles" fly as high as 8 foot into the air - little fact for you there.

Eurrrgh I don't wanna go in my bathroom again. Ever

Lol just put the lid down when you flush the toilet, simples

I'm a HCA and I swear by Vicks Vapour rub under my nose. Or even keep one of those vicks inhalers in your pocket for just before you tackle the poo. Everyone probably says this, but you do get used to it. My first few were horrendous, its not exactly something most people have cleaned up before or can practice in training - but it does get easier. I found that once I got a system for it, knew exactly what equipment I needed and working out the best method it was fine. If you're bed bathing a patient then its only a small proportion of the whole wash and it really doesn't take too long (although it can feel like it at first)

Pretty gross detail below...


Are your patients wearing a pad? If so its pretty simple to use the pad to remove all the poo before you wipe. You wouldnt necessarily have to see it and just bag it straight away.



I'm assuming you mean cleaning up bed-bound patients? (I work on neuro so most of mine are) if its from a commode I do the sort of trying not to look and wrinkling up my nose look when i'm in the sluice getting rid of it. I guess it depends on your commode liners and if you use bedpan liner or not (we don't which I think is pretty gross)

Anyway enough poo for now! I always find its really good to talk poo with people who understand about it!!

Thank goodness i'm going to be working in theatre soon. No more poo, but plenty of blood and guts!! Yum!!