Fecal Impaction

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I work in LTC and there has been much controversy lately on fecal impactions. Can nurses check for fecal impactions as a nursing measure without a MD order? I know we cannot remove without an order.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

I guesss it's different from place to place and maybe LTC is different also, but. . .Everywhere I've ever worked it's was nursing judgement to check for and remove impactions. You had to use your judgement and not do it on someone who had rectal surgery but otherwise it was glove up and dig away.

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The place I used to work at required a Dr.'s order.

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Specializes in Inpatient Acute Rehab.

Anywhere I have ever worked, it was a nursing judgement; both checking for and removal of a fecal impaction.

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Specializes in Geriatric, LTC, PC, home care, pediatric.

When I was in school, we removed impactions without a MD order. When I worked LTC, we removed without MD order. The only time I was questioned on it was when another LPN, who went to a different school than I, said that LPN's weren't allowed. Was working at a Personal Care Home at that time, went to my DON, she was glad to know she had a nurse who knew her stuff, meaning me. :chuckle

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IF MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY, BON OFFICIALS ARE THE ONLY ONES AFFLICTED WITH THIS ILLNESS AND AS FAR AS I KNOW THIS IS A SELF TREATABLE CONDITION, THERE ARE NO PROTOCAL FOR THE REMOVAL OR ASSESSEMENT OF A FECAL IMPACITON IN A BON MEMBER. 'S WITH WOLVES

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