To pad or not to pad? The use of containment products in healthcare

Containment products, commonly known as incontinence pads, are medically used in healthcare for patients with bladder and bowel symptoms. However, using them without a clinical need or selecting the wrong style or absorbency can lead to avoidable patient harm. In some cases, product formularies are developed with a greater focus on cost than clinical need, restricting access to certain styles and limiting the number of products prescribed per day. While registered healthcare professionals are accountable for assessing and prescribing containment products for patients under their care, they may not always be aware of this responsibility. Providing pads prematurely can cause unintended physical harm, and foster psychological dependence and reluctance to pursue curative treatment.