Adult Bowel Care Policy.pdf - NHS North Somerset

1. Purpose of the policy
1.1 To ensure a high standard of bowel care, including assessment, treatment and
management including rectal interventions.
1.2 To ensure safe, competent practice by all clinicians undertaking bowel care and
reduce risk of complications associated with bowel management.
1.3 To standardise practice across North Somerset PCT and the wider healthcare
community.
1.4 To ensure that all practice is evidence based, relevant, appropriate and minimised
harm
2 Scope
The policy will apply to all staff undertaking bowel care for adults, with the exception of
stoma care.
In order to carry out invasive bowel care all staff should attend relevant training, achieve
competency, and be working within their job description.
It is recommended that this policy also be adopted in independent care homes within
North Somerset, in order to promote consistently applied evidence based care.
This policy does not include rectal examination for the purpose of prostate assessment.
3 Background / Policy Statement
“Bowel care is a fundamental area of patient care that is frequently overlooked, yet
it is of paramount importance for the quality of life of our patients, many of whom
are hesitant to admit to bowel problems or to discuss such issues.”
(RCN 2008)
Bowel care may include rectal interventions. This should only be carried out when there
is a specific and adequate clinical indication. It is the policy of this PCT that bowel care
should be carried out in a safe and consistent manner according to North Somerset PCT
Procedures for bowel care are found in appendices 1-6
Doc File Reference Issuer: Policy No: Issue Date: Issue No: Review Date: Page:
Adult Bowel Care Policy PS 337 06/2009 1 06/2010 3 of 42
3