The importance of nursing counseling to the patient for better procedural compliance

In our region, there is a screening program that is aimed at all people, resident or domiciled in Piedmont, aged between 50 and 69 and registered with the National Health Service. The selected population receives an invitation to perform the fecal occult blood test (FIT) every two years. Following this, if the FIT result is positive, patients are called to receive a colonoscopy. In our Local Health Service, the drug for intestinal cleasing is distributed free of charge in the center, by the nurses and/or support staff.

Through an analysis of the data, in the period 1-7-2020/30.06.2022, data showed that 10.48% of the selected patients did not complete the colonoscopy. Of these, 1.93% did not complete it because they had not taken the laxative for intestinal cleasing adequately. Our nursing group was trained with a appropriate course to learn how to correctly communicate and explain the patient about per-operatory colonscopy procedures, such as the importance of a right bowel cleasing. The group included nurses, Social Health Workers and Secretaries who distributed the colonscopy preparation to patients, and starting from 01-07-2022, an illustrated sheet with the correct intake methodology was explained verbally and then given to the patient. From the data relating to the following two years: (1.07.2022-30.06.2024) it emerged that 7.9% of patients did not complete the exam. 1.20% of patients did not take the intestinal preparation for the colonscopy in the right way, and a considerable amount of solid feces and non aspirable stool prevented the examination from taking place.

The net gain, understood as the percentage difference in patients who performed the preparation better and were therefore able to complete a colonoscopy, is 0.7%

The specialized training of nursing staff is the basis of counseling that offers the patient the best path for carrying out a intestinal preparation and therefore a quality examination. The use of illustrated instructions simplifies explanation and memorization the pre- operatory colonscopy procedures for the working group with better outcome for the patient. Good staff training leads to good patient education, creates empathy, and strengthens adherence to taking the intestinal preparation.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
27. März 2025