Nurses’ Perceived Factors of Reluctance to Implement the Bowel Regimen Protocol in Intensive Care Units

Aims: To identify nurses’ perceived factors of reluctance to implement the bowel protocol in the ICUs. Background: However, Bowel regimen protocol of patients in the intensive care unit is safe, feasible, and beneficial, its’ implementation as part of routine nursing clinical care can be challenging. Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional design. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 64 nurses who were working in intensive care units and meet the inclusion criteria was conducted between April 2017 and February 2018. The survey instrument was a semi-structure interview questionnaire developed by the researchers based on the related literature. Results: The mean age of studied nurses was 29.12± 6.41. The most frequently nurses’ perceived factors of reluctance to deliver bowel regimen were the busy shift (93.8%), limited staff & lack of supervision (92.2 %), the low priority of bowel care (90.6%) when considered against other demands of the highly technical intensive care units, unclear order from the doctors (89.06%)., forgetfulness and lack of education and awareness(92.2 %). Conclusion: This study provides an understanding of the perceived factors of reluctance to deliver bowel regimen for critically ill patients. Implications for Nursing Management: Nurse Managers could deal with factors of reluctance to deliver bowel regimen protocol in the ICUs and develop new strategies to overcome these factors Keywords: critical care; intensive care; bowel care DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/73-10 Publication date: April 30 th 2020