Faecal impaction: older people's experiences and nursing practice

Abstract

A number of authors have identified the paucity of evidence available to inform community nursing practice in relation to faecal impaction. Little is known of its incidence or its impact. In an attempt to address this, this article reports part of an extensive descriptive survey in Australia that sought to explore the experience of, and response to, constipation of older people living in the community. The focus here is the participants’ experience of extreme constipation in the form of faecal impaction and obstipation (obstinate constipation). Faecal impaction was found to cause great discomfort and distress, often leading to obstipation. The imperative for self-management of constipation was strong, and laxative use frequent. However, manual evacuation was often necessary, either by self or others. This article discusses the results in relation to a recent emergence of concern in the US and UK about how faecal impaction and obstipation should be treated by community nurses.