Educational News

Earwax, although it seems annoying and unnecessary, serves an important function: it protects ears with both lubricating and antibacterial properties. Earwax (cerumen) is a combination of secretions from the sebaceous glands and the ceruminous glands and it typically moves naturally through the ear canal to the outside of the ear where it flakes off. If…

Constipation is a psychologically and socially debilitating condition. In the long-term care setting, in particular amongst patients 65 and over, the prevalence of constipation is very common, and can be a primary cause for a patient’s need for admission or continued long-term care. The loss of independence felt by those suffering from bowel disorders, along…

For mobility-impaired patients, the risk of skin conditions such as pressure injuries and incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) increases. Incontinent patients have a 22% higher risk of developing pressure injuries. For the mobility-impared, the risk increases to 30%.  It’s essential for healthcare providers and facilities to have an evidence-based skin care protocol, as well as effective bowel…

Skin plays an important role in overall health and wellness, particularly for people with limited mobility and/or spinal cord injury or illness. Skin Integrity & Spinal Cord Injury When skin is compromised in a healthcare environment, a patient is more susceptible to germs, illness, infection, and injury. For people with spinal cord injury (SCI), dermatomes…

Spina Bifida Guidelines: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine The Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine: An Interdisciplinary Approach recently released new guidelines for care and management of people with Spina Bifida. Download complimentary PDF copies of the guidelines by clicking the guidelines buttons below (PDF will open in a new tab). Urologic Guidelines Mental Health Guidelines…

Pain medications are widely used for treatment of both chronic and acute pain, but they come with a common side effect: constipation. There are several variables that determine the severity of constipation and need to monitor dosage including age, comorbid conditions, drug interactions, and genetics. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen and opioid pain medications are…

Constipation is a common ailment for long-term care (LTC) patients, and laxatives are the most prescribed medications by LTC facilities. In the elderly long-term care population, up to 74% of patients receive at least one laxative per day. Over the age of 65, the number of LTC patients dealing with constipation is estimated to be…

To ensure high quality care, it is critical that healthcare providers are familiar with effective bowel care protocol(s) for inpatient and/or home care environments. An ineffective bowel care protocol and secondary complications from constipation and incontinence, may result in reduced patient quality of life, as well as significant facility fiscal overages. Effective bowel care protocols…

Approximately 291,000 Americans have a spinal cord injury (SCI). Reported prevalence rates vary for Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) in the US, but the generally accepted rate is 48-90% of all individuals who are injured at T6 and above. Patients who have a complete injury (no motor or sensation below the level of the spinal cord lesion)…

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at particular risk for blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Risk is often higher in the days and weeks following injury, usually during a stay at an acute care hospital or other facility. One study showed that 43% of people with a spinal cord injury had a…

According to John Hopkins Medicine, ulcers can develop if blood supply is cut off for more than 2 to 3 hours, and can progress rapidly. Sustained pressure can cut off circulation to vulnerable parts of the body, and without an adequate supply of blood, body tissues can die.   Populations at Increased Risk for Pressure…

Children with disabilities have a much higher incidence rate of constipation than the non-disabled pediatric population. Unfortunately, bowel conditions can go unrecognized either because children are unable to express their discomfort or because other medical issues take precedence. Implementing an effective bowel care program for children with disabilities both provides welcome relief for the child…

Constipation is the most common GI complaint in the primary, acute, and long-term care setting in the US. Spinal cord disorders and the associated neurological damage results in impaired voluntary and reflex activity with altered bowel transit and impaired storage/evacuation mechanisms. Ninety-five percent of SCI patients require at least one therapeutic intervention to initiate defecations.2…

Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal condition for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (“MS”), with approximately 35% of patients experiencing constipation. One quarter of people with MS report at least one instance of incontinence per week. Some common causes of constipation caused by MS include reduced and/or limited patient physical activity, decreased movement of food through…

Written by: Cissi Wimberly Oloomi MSN, APN-CNS, FNP, CNRN, CRRN    In early 2020, the existence and severity of the novel coronavirus, now called COVID-19, was communicated to the world, and began its spread from China to over 180 countries. COVID-19 was described as a respiratory virus that infects the body, is spread easily from particles…

As we continue to learn more about COVID-19 transmission rates and causes, we are able to develop safe protocols and procedures to minimize risk to patients and healthcare workers when treating its devastating effects. It’s important to include the fecal-oral risk of contracting and/or spreading COVID-19 in our collective discussions, as studies show that this…

Constipation is the most commonly reported gastrointestinal complaint from Multiple Sclerosis (“MS”) patients, occurring in about 35% of people affected with the disease. Incontinence is the second most reported bowel complaint, with approximately 25% of patients reporting at least one episode of incontinence per week.   Common causes of constipation in MS patients include reduced and/or…

Constipation in children is unique from adult constipation in several important ways. It is the source of 3% of visits to a pediatrician, and 25% of visits to a pediatric gastroenterologist. Yet it is a condition that often goes unrecognized by parents and as such they don’t seek medical advice. While mild constipation is fairly…

Opioids are widely used for treatment of both chronic and acute pain, and while they can be effective for pain management, it is important to be aware of the health ramifications of one of their most common side effects: constipation. The severity of constipation and need to monitor dosage depends on several variables, including age,…

It’s the moment many spinal cord injury (SCI) patients are excited about – the transition back to home. As exciting as this is, it can also be a time full of questions and trepidation when it comes to managing their bowel care. There are many considerations to prepare for, including who will be assisting with…

DATE: January 16, 2020 TIME: 3 pm MST LINK to REGISTER: Autonomic Dysreflexia: Putting the Pieces of the Puzzle Together   Bowel dysfunction in patients with SCI is a significant problem that often limits activities of daily living and social activity. The loss of independence felt by those suffering from bowel dysfunction, along with the…

What does skin integrity have to do with bowel care? If you are asking this question, your patients might be at risk. Improper bowel care for people with fecal incontinence can create a myriad of skin-related problems, including dermatitis, pressure ulcers, perianal skin breakdown, and wound contamination. Skin areas most affected are near the buttocks,…

Consider the Facts “Who among us would feel confident at work if we could not trust our continence? Instead of five to ten minutes per day to attend to bowel needs, how would we tolerate planning every day around a process that takes several hours?” ~ Kenneth C. Parsons, MD Chair, Spinal Cord Medicine Consortium…

Impact of Spina Bifida on Bowel and Bladder Function Research shows that 90-95% of severely affected children born with Spina Bifida will not have normal bladder and bowel function, 60-70% will require intermittent catheterization and medication to control bladder function, and 20-30% will require major reconstructive bladder and bowel surgery. A hallmark clinical presentation of…