Too many rectal examinations? A survey of nursing management of constipation in elderly patients.
A survey of nursing practices for the diagnosis and management of constipation in elderly patients in a Department of Medicine for the Elderly showed that up to 100 patients each week were subjected to unsupervised digital rectal examination. This procedure may be distressing to the patients and is probably unnecessary. We question whether this is acceptable or desirable practice.
Davies
K N
KN
Department of Medicine for the Elderly, St James's University Hospital, Leeds.
Mulley
G P
GP
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009740:Nursing Staff; D010173:Palpation / Q000379:methods*; D012007:Rectum; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires