Managing constipation using a research-based protocol
Hall, G.R.; Karstens, M.; Rakel, B.; Swanson, E.; Davidson, A.
Medsurg Nursing Official Journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses 4(1) 11-18; Quiz: 19-20
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 1092-0811 PMID: 7874216 Document Number: 442312
Constipation, a common health problem particularly for elderly and hospitalized patients, can cause abdominal pain, discomfort, gas, headaches, nausea, anorexia, a bad taste in the mouth, and potentially adds to functional loss and length of stay. As part of a quality improvement initiative, a research-based interdisciplinary protocol was developed to prevent constipation in hospitalized immobile vascular surgery patients. Using a combination of dietary fiber, increased fluid, and hygiene measures over a 3-year period, incidence of constipation was reduced from 59% to about 9%. The incidence of impaction was eliminated and requests for laxatives and enemas were reduced from 59% to about 8%.