digital stimulation, any suggestions

Published

digital stimulation, help. Have any of you done it. Had to do it a couple of times and it was horrible. I would appreciate any advice. The person I have to do this to needs it done for 10 mins at a time for up to an hour. First, I don't have that kind of time. Second it is offensive to me. Third it hurts my finger. This person asks specifically for female caregivers, and that means me. I am not feeling good about this at all. :o

: :rotfl: Actually,you did! :rotfl: I can tell you that I have had a problem-I was on ms contin after a pretty major accident for about 3 and a half weeks...I was up to 6 peri-colace a day and still-NOTHING....I was so SICK by the time my husband brought home the mag citrate that I could not keep it down...so I did the deed myself to myself...Let me tell you honey-what a RELIEF!!!! I have had numerous inpacted patients both in acute and long term care and after the battle is won they are so grateful...It's a nasty task but one that gives immediate relief........
:nono: I agree. What ever happened to the CNA's who gave the enemas and such. Does not happen anymore. Seems like we got our liscense but took a step back in time as far as responsibility is concerned. That is one of my least favs to have to do.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
:nono: I agree. What ever happened to the CNA's who gave the enemas and such. Does not happen anymore. Seems like we got our liscense but took a step back in time as far as responsibility is concerned. That is one of my least favs to have to do.

enemas given by cna's is one thing.

i would never delegate digital stimulation or disimpaction however.

a few years ago, an rn i know actually perforated a patient's bowel wall from disimpacting.

and although undesirable, it IS a skilled task.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.

a few years ago, an rn i know actually perforated a patient's bowel wall from disimpacting.

.

Leslie,

Isn't that difficult to do? I mean I know the rectal lining is very thin but I imagine that you'd have to really poke hard, have long nails, or be completely oblivious to the task at hand. Scary...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

ugh! you could make these people code if you let a CNA do it!!!!!

i mean, some CNA's wouldn't even know what was going on if their pt vageled down.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.
Leslie,

Isn't that difficult to do? I mean I know the rectal lining is very thin but I imagine that you'd have to really poke hard, have long nails, or be completely oblivious to the task at hand. Scary...

thats a known and common risk! thats why they don't let CNA's do it... and thats why an RN needs to... he/she should know the s&s of that happening!

if someone has been having to be "dug out" for a long time, i would think that a perf might happen more easily than to other people... especially if the bowel has been stretched and restretched multiple times from impacted bowel...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

In ther ER I work at, a doctor wrote the order for digital extraction to relieve constipation. I neatly wrote underneath and signed it, do it yourself and handed it back to him.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
In ther ER I work at, a doctor wrote the order for digital extraction to relieve constipation. I neatly wrote underneath and signed it, do it yourself and handed it back to him.

WOW. what did the doctor do?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
WOW. what did the doctor do?

Yes,Tom-what DID the doctor do? (PS-the O.P. stated that the resident needs this done for up to 10 minutes at a time and repeated for up to an hour-or until the job is done) By the way- I'm sure that you all are just venting here and would never approach this task with anything but professionalism.........

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't understand some of these comments...........I am still a student, but if that's what the patient needs, then you just gotta do, it's part of caring for your patient, you don't need the patient's health going down hill just b/c you think its gross, and as far as it being a CNA's job, thats ridiculous. Just b/c you think it's gross does not mean you are above doing it. CNA's are there to help but are you gonna refuse, as well, to change a patient's bed, or do bed pans or do a pt's bed bath if the CNA is unavailable at that moment? is the basic care a pt needs beneath you? It's not about taking a step back "down the ladder", it's about the pt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
WOW. what did the doctor do?

He went and did the chore

Thats his chore not mine

Up Vote Up Vote ×
He went and did the chore

Thats his chore not mine

i don't understand............why would this not be a nsg. chore?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Actually our ER has a policy that states enemas and impaction removal are not an approved function of the ER.

So if MDs want it done they have to do it.

this is a policy left over from the old days when LTC pts would show up around the clock needing to be cleaned out.

So the hospital passed a policy about it. HOORAY

Im an ER Nurse

Not a Colonic Nurse

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion