title: [Phosphate containing enemas: one undervalued risky practice? The management of an adverse event].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The phosphate-containing enemas are widely used, both to manage constipation and as a preparation for endoscopic procedures and surgery in adults and children. Many studies report that the use of these laxatives can be dangerous.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify possible prevention strategies starting from a severe adverse reaction due to repeated administrations of phosphate enemas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A working group was started, the literature was reviewed and recommendations for an appropriate use of enemas were discussed and implemented, to improve patients' safety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phosphate-containing enemas were replaced with 125 ml water enemas; recommendations were spread to strongly limit the use of phosphate containing enemas and the use of laxative in the first and second semester of 2012, were confronted showing a change in habits and a reduction in the use of phosphate containing enemas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of several strategies, originated from an adverse event, succeeded in modifying the use of laxatives and phosphate-containing enemas.
authors.affiliation: SC Medicina - Struttura Ospedaliera di Tione (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carli
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fonzi
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moltrer
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mon
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miori
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brunori
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campomori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D004733:Enema / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009731:Nursing Audit; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases