Torpe & Harrison stated "Since patients enter a critical care environment in a physiological crisis, priority is given to the maintenance of life and the instigation of interventions to support failing physiology. When faced with this type of situation, bowel management seems to assume a low priority." (Connect, 2002. 2(2):61-63.) Many studies highlight this problem. What do you think?
Hi Nicola - I agree that bowel management is often not seen as a priority, certainly initially, following ICU admission. However, soon both diarrhoea and constipation can become major problems. A study we did a long time ago in Sydney, Australia highlighted the problem and suggested a decision making algorithm (see The nursing management of diarrhoea and constipation before and after the implementation of a bowel management protocol.
S McKenna, M Wallis, A Brannelly, J Cawood (2001) The nursing management of diarrhoea and constipation before and after the implementation of a bowel management protocol. Australian Critical Care (impact factor: 0.97). 03/2001; 14(1):10-6. Available through Research Gate.
Marianne Wallis
Hi Marianne, I know your study. Recently I conducted a literature review about this issue for an italian nursing journal, (Now in press) and I found many citations about your study, which I think is very interesting. Nice to meet you. Best regards. Nicola
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