Pad Weighs

We may request a pad weigh for several reasons:

• To determine a patient's urinary output when they are unable to pass urine in the toilet or a container for it to be measured
• To ensure that the patient is prescribed the correct absorbency product to meet their clinical need
• To determine if the products are being used to their full absorbency and are not being changed inappropriately.

The process

• 24 hours' worth of used products to be saved (do not save products that are soiled with faeces unless it is a very slight smear).
• The products should be placed in small plastic bags.
• Complete a 1 day bladder chart at the same time so that the clinician can also see how much fluid intake the patient has had over the same 24 hour period and what times the pads were changed. 
• The Associate Practitioner will visit the home on the arranged day and time, weigh the products and record the weighs in the patient's electronic record.
• The dry weight of the pad will be deducted from the used weight of the pad to determine an accurate urinary leak amount.
• The total weights of the pads plus any measured urinary outputs will be added together to determine the patient's total 24 hour urine output.

Please note: Not saving products when an appointment has been arranged will result in lost clinician time and a significant delay in the resident's treatment which may then put the patient at risk.