Content Information
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control that leads to involuntary urine leakage. Many children may have incontinence from time to time. It can take some children longer than others for their body to grow and develop allowing for control of their bladder. Some children have additional health related issues or disabilities that lead to episodes of incontinence. The child’s parent, family and healthcare provider address this health issue together. School personnel support the family and parents through communication and confidentiality in care. A child may be completely unaware or deeply distressed about their incontinence of urine. The key is in your actions to stay calm, provide confidentiality, and healthcare.
The instructional steps assist the registered nurse working under the auspices of the school or program in professional judgement and accountability of delegation. Additional steps may be required depending on the learner’s health needs.
Steps
- Provide privacy for the child to ensure their comfort and dignity
- Wash your hands
- Have or help the student wash their hands.
- Gather supplies and clean clothing
- Put on gloves
- Assist the child in removing the soiled clothing
- Allow the child to assist in completing this task independently (if applicable)
- If the student uses an incontinence product, do not refer to them as “diapers.” A simple change in language can empower the students by providing respect.
- Bag wet clothes
- Dispose of wet incontinence product (if applicable)
- Wipe the child from front to back
- Allow for the child to assist in cleaning self (if applicable)
- Assist the child in dressing into clean clothes
- Allow for the child to assist in completing the task (if applicable)
- Remove gloves and wash your hands
- Have or help the student wash their hands and return back to class
- Place the bagged clothing in the location determined in collaboration with the family
- Document the date, time, procedure, student’s response, your initials and signature