Telephone Triage Guidelines - St. James's Hospital

HAEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY TELEPHONE TRIAGE GUIDELINESCONSTIPATIONASKACTIONGrade 1 & 2 with: Dry/hard stool Increased anorexia Decreased fluidintake No bowel movementfor 2 daysOffer support, education and follow upas necessary High fibre diet Increase fluid intake Exercise Laxatives Encourage patient to contactdepartment of treatment withinworking hours if symptoms persist orbecome worseGrade 3 with: Nausea and orvomiting Increasing abdominalpain No bowel movementfor more than 3 days Review prescribed stool softenersand laxatives, including concomitantmedication that could exacerbatecondition. Advise proper use of daily bowelregimen. Requires medical attention withinthe next 24 hoursGrade 4 with: Severe abdominalpain Nausea and orvomiting Faecal smelling vomit Severe rigidabdominal distension Recent abdominalsurgeryAttendHODC/WSW/DBW/A&E/nearesthospital immediatelyNote on laxativesBulk forming laxatives: FybogelOsmotic laxatives: Movical, LactuloseStimulant laxatives: Senna (night)HOPe Directorate, St. James‟s Hospital V2 201217