Preventing and managing constipation in older inpatients

Purpose Constipation in hospitalised older adults leads to adverse events and prolonged stay. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to effectively prevent and manage constipation in older adults undergoing inpatient rehabilitation using a multidisciplinary war on constipation (WOC) algorithm. Des...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of health care quality assurance 2018-06, Vol.31 (5), p.415-419
Main Authors: Osuafor, Christopher Nnaemeka, Enduluri, Sree Lakshmi, Travers, Emma, Bennett, Anne Marie, Deveney, Elena, Ali, Shabahat, McCarthy, Frances, Fan, Chie Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Audit cycles
Audits
Bowel habits
Constipation
Critical incidents
Fecal incontinence
Habits
Health administration
Hospitalization
Hospitals
Interdisciplinary aspects
Laxatives
Multidisciplinary teams
Older people
Patients
Preventive medicine
Quality improvement
Quality management
Quality of care
Rehabilitation
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Summary:Purpose Constipation in hospitalised older adults leads to adverse events and prolonged stay. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to effectively prevent and manage constipation in older adults undergoing inpatient rehabilitation using a multidisciplinary war on constipation (WOC) algorithm. Design/methodology/approach A quality improvement project in older adults undergoing rehabilitation for prevention and constipation management was conducted. Quality improvement “plan-do-study-act” cycles included an initial constipation audit in the wards and meetings with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to develop an algorithm for the preventing, detecting and effectively treating constipation. Findings The project resulted in a 14 per cent reduction in constipation incidence after the newly developed WOC algorithm was introduced. The project also improved communication between patients and the MDT around patients’ bowel habits. Practical implications The project shows that using quality improvement methods in rehabilitation settings, earlier detection, earlier intervention and overall reduction in constipation in older adults can be achieved. Originality/value The WOC algorithm has been developed and institutionalised in the current setting. This algorithm may also be applicable in other inpatient settings.
ISSN:0952-6862
1758-6542
DOI:10.1108/IJHCQA-05-2017-0082