What role does the nurse have for successful bladder and bowel management?

Managing bladder and bowel health is a critical, yet often overlooked aspect of patient care, especially for those with spinal cord injuries (SCI). 

In a recent podcast episode host, Tracey Tattam, a Nurse Educator at the Spinal Injuries Unit Queensland, Australia is joined by Josefin Oja, a nurse and urotherapist at the spinal cord injury department Umeå, Sweden and Maria Moschovou, a specialist rehabilitation nurse at the Linköping University Hospital Rehabilitation department. They discuss and explore factors important for being compliant with the therapy and long-term compliance, the possible barriers that arise, how to overcome these, and the importance of a healthy bladder and bowel.

The initial phase of rehabilitation for newly injured SCI patients can be overwhelming. The sudden influx of information, coupled with the intimate nature of bladder and bowel care, often leaves patients feeling vulnerable. Josefin emphasises the need for educational materials that are not only concise but personalised to the individual's needs. A key factor in successful management is establishing a routine that is as close to the patient's pre-injury habits as possible, adapting techniques to their unique situations.

Long-term challenges also persist. As Maria notes, methods that were effective during initial rehabilitation may not suffice as time moves on. Patients often return, desperate for solutions to new or evolving issues. This highlights the need for continuous support and follow-up, ensuring that care plans adapt over time. A notable aspect of long-term management is addressing the cultural sensitivities of caring for patients from diverse backgrounds. This requires not only a deep understanding of different cultures but also strategies to introduce and discuss intimate care products in a respectful and effective manner.

Both experts stress the importance of education – for patients and healthcare professionals alike.  Using smart, simple solutions over complicated or invasive procedures can prove to be more effective.  

Our panel agreed that the management of bladder and bowel health for SCI patients is complex. Healthcare professionals can empower patients to lead healthier, more independent lives through education, patience, and continuous improvement of care plans.

We hope you enjoy listening. 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.

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The SCI Care: What Really Matters podcast aims to provide valuable insights and the most up-to-date information for those providing care to people with spinal cord injury (SCI) worldwide. The vision of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) is to "facilitate healthy and inclusive lives for people with spinal cord injury or dysfunction globally".

Contact us directly with any questions or comments at iscos@associationsltd.co.uk

Chapters

• 1:43 For newly injured patients what are the main challenges?
• 3:30 What can facilitate you and the patient in these sorts of situations?
• 4:34 What's the risk when they don't get the adequate information?
• 7:19 What is your experience related to bladder and bowel interactions among the patients that
• 12:44 How do you work with overcoming this sort of barrier, which may also be a cultural implications as well.
• 16:25 The intermittent catheters, do you use the transanal irrigation for the bowels?
• 18:13 Staff turnover and keeping the staff informed and educated.
• 22:52 Bladder stones are problems that arise
• 24:50 Top three tips to share