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Constipation prophylaxis in children undergoing orthopedic surgery: A quasi‐experimental study
Author(s) -
Mantegazzi Laila Sara,
Seliner Brigitte,
Imhof Lorenz
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal for specialists in pediatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1744-6155
pISSN - 1539-0136
DOI - 10.1111/jspn.12145
Subject(s) - constipation , medicine , orthopedic surgery , functional constipation , intervention (counseling) , physical therapy , significant difference , exact test , pediatrics , general surgery , surgery , nursing
Purpose This study evaluated the effectiveness of constipation prophylaxis administered with the support of an advanced practice nurse. Design A quasi‐experimental study with a historical control group of 112 pediatric (age 1–18) orthopedic patients and an intervention group of 59 patients was conducted in a surgical ward in Switzerland. Results The implementation of a standardized constipation prophylaxis led to an absolute risk reduction (27%) of constipation. Fisher's exact test showed a significant difference in the prevalence of constipation in the two samples, p = .001. Practice Implications Constipation prophylaxis is a necessity in pediatric orthopedics.