Examining bowel preparation before flexible sigmoidoscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate bowel preparation for a flexible sigmoidoscopy, particularly the procedure for the administration of a phosphate enema and patient expectation to 'wait as long as they can' before the urge to rush to the toilet.


METHODS
A survey approach was used with a questionnaire recording the time to toilet after the enema and level of bowel clearance.


RESULTS
Over half of participants (24 of 40) chose to use the toilet immediately. Bowel clearance was reported as good in 32 of the 40 participants and side-effects were reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
Giving patients choice when to visit the toilet after an enema improved their experience and achieved good bowel clearance for the procedures. Further research should be undertaken due to the small size of the study.
Duane-Moore
Rosarie
R
Royal Hospital Haslar, Gosport.
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003672:Defecation; D004733:Enema / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D018401:Sample Size; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome