Complex Bowel Care
For Community Health & Disability Support Workers
The Course
Understanding effective bowel care is an essential part of the support worker role.
The course includes a brief overview of anatomy & physiology of the bowel, healthy bowel function, bowel dysfunction, effective bowel management skills and complex bowel care such as administration of a suppository and enema.
NDIS Skills Descriptors
This course meets the requirements for support workers according to the NDIS Practice Standards 2022
Follow personal hygiene and infection control procedures
Discuss how to observe and record change bowel habits
Demonstrate a knowledge of; basic anatomy of the digestive system, importance of regular bowel care
Appropriate use of laxatives
Understanding of stool characteristics indicating healthy bowel functioning and related signs and symptoms
Nutrition and hydration requirements
Basic understanding of related conditions, including autonomic dysreflexia
Understand symptoms/indications of need for intervention and when to refer to health practitioner e.g. overflow, impaction, perforation, infection
Understanding of intervention options and techniques
Procedure to administer a suppository & mini enema
Practical Activities
Attendees are encouraged to demonstrate administering a mini enema using our medical mannequin.
Duration of the course is 2.5 hours
A certificate of achievement is issued to all participants.
Certificates are valid for one year