The Stacking Adjustable Commode provides height-adjustable toileting support with heat-sealed (heat-welded) upholstered seat and backrest for impermeable seam hygiene, a 5-litre removable potty, and a stackable design for compact multi-unit storage. Non-slip non-marking feet. Maximum user weight 158kg. NCL-HMC105.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum User Weight | 158kg (25 stone) |
| Potty Capacity | 5 litres - removable |
| Frame | Height-adjustable |
| Seat and Backrest | Padded - heat-sealed (heat-welded) seams |
| Feet | Non-slip non-marking rubber |
| Storage | Stackable |
| Reference | NCL-HMC105 |
The Stacking Adjustable Commode is a medical device. The height must be adjusted for each resident and confirmed by the occupational therapist as correct for the resident's leg length and rising capacity before the commode is used. Non-slip feet must be confirmed in contact with the floor surface before the resident sits; the commode must not be used on wet or polished surfaces where the non-slip feet may not grip adequately. IPC requires the potty to be decontaminated after each use per the care setting's waste handling protocol. Equipment records must note the product code and the 158kg SWL for CQC Regulation 12 compliance.
What is the correct method for height-adjusting the commode for a specific resident, and how often should it be rechecked?
The commode height adjustment should be set so that when the resident is seated on the commode, their feet are flat on the floor and their thighs are approximately parallel to the floor (or slightly declined from hip to knee) with the hip joint at approximately 90-100 degrees of flexion. The practical assessment method is to seat the resident on the commode at the initial height setting and observe the foot contact - if the feet are flat on the floor with knees at approximately 90 degrees and the resident's posture is comfortable without the need to perch on the front of the seat, the height is appropriate. If the resident's feet are not reaching the floor, the commode is too high and must be lowered; if the resident's knees are higher than their hips when seated, the commode is too low. The height setting should be confirmed and documented by the occupational therapist as part of the commode assessment, and rechecked at each care plan review. A change in the resident's lower limb oedema, weight, or functional capacity may alter the optimal height setting; any care staff member who notices a change in the resident's seated position that suggests the height is no longer optimal should flag this for reassessment rather than adjusting the height independently without clinical review.
How are stackable commodes safely stored and unstacked without injury?
Stacking commodes are stored by lifting each additional commode and lowering it onto the one below, with the legs of the upper commode nesting around or within the frame of the lower commode; the specific nesting geometry varies by manufacturer design and must be confirmed as correctly engaged at each stacking event. A commode stack of 3-4 units reaches a significant height and the combined weight is 3-4 times the individual unit weight; the stack must be stored on a flat stable floor surface against a wall or in a corner where it cannot tip. To unstack, one commode is lifted from the top of the stack at a time; attempting to lift a commode from the middle or bottom of a stack is not possible with the nesting design and must not be attempted, as this would destabilise the stack above. The lifting height required to clear the upper commode from the nested position may be significant; staff storing or retrieving commodes from a tall stack must assess whether the lift height exceeds their safe overhead reach, and step stools or additional staff assistance may be required for tall stacks. In practice, stacks of more than 3 units should be avoided in settings where the stack must be accessed by a single member of staff to prevent overhead lifting beyond a safe range.