title: Changing bowel hygiene practice successfully: a program to reduce laxative use in a chronic care hospital.
abstract: Laxative use was significantly reduced in our long-term care facility when an interdisciplinary program based on a philosophy of prevention and health promotion was implemented. Specifically, increased fluid and fiber intake, timely toileting habits, and regular activity/exercise led to a halving of the number of patients receiving laxatives as required, relative to pre-program levels and relative to a control unit not receiving the program.
authors.affiliation: Sisters of Charity of Ottawa (SCO) Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Benton
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002400:Cathartics / Q000009:adverse effects; D003248:Constipation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities; D014039:Toilet Training
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004043:Dietary Fiber