The critical care nursing staff team at Grantham Hospital
improved the assessment, documentation and
management of the bowel habits of critically ill adults
within their unit to improve patients experience and
outcome. Their work was later expanded to other units in
the Trust.
At the outset the development of the protocol was
discussed with nursing staff and consultants as well as with
patients and pharmacy staff. An extensive literature search
was conducted and a baseline audit carried out. With the
involvement of Clinical Governance, the protocol was
consulted on widely across the Trust prior to
implementation.
Education was undertaken to embed the protocol into
practice leading to staff formally assessing a patient’s
bowel habit, documenting it adequately and providing
continuity of care.
Dealing with any constipation early on in a patient’s
admission can have positive implications on their comfort,
satisfaction and also potentially reduce the amount of time
they spend in hospital.
A subsequent audit found significant improvement in terms
of assessment, documentation and management of the
bowels of critically ill adults.
“We are really proud to have improved patient care in this
area of practice which is of significant concern to patients.”
For more information on this project, please contact:
sue.marriott@ulh.nhs.uk
