DRE and DRF (Nurses only)

DRE & DRF (Nurses Only)

Course Length:

2 hours

Maximum Number of Attendees:

12

Course Description:

This course is aimed at Registered Nurses Only. The training is for you if you are responsible for the day to day care of individuals who require bowel management and will be required to perform digital rectal examination and/or digital removal of faeces.

We will cover the GI Tract and the normal colon and its functions, along with stool production and what influences this. You will be provided an understanding of bowel function and dysfunction, constipation, and faecal incontinence.

You will learn the legal and professional considerations and indications and contraindications of when to perform DRE/DRF and a practical demonstration with a manikin.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

What this course offers:

• Introduction – Anatomy and Physiology: 

  • Understand and discuss:

    • The GI Tract

    • The normal colon and its functions

    • Stool production and what influences this

• Bowel Function and Dysfunction:

  • Discuss: 

    • Constipation and poor bowel emptying

    • Faecal incontinence

• Emergencies:

  • Lower bowel care emergencies and complications

• Consent and documentation:

  • Consent, confidentiality, chaperoning, privacy, and dignity

  • Communication

  • Documentation

• Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)

  Digital Removal of Faeces (DRF)

  • Legal and professional considerations

  • Indications/contraindications of when to perform DRE/DRF

  • Procedure for DRE/DRF including observations

  • Multi-disciplinary team support (if needed)

  • Documentation

  • Practical demonstration with a manikin