Lecturer Gaye Kyle provides detailed instructions on How to Perform a Digital Removal of Faeces.
The highlights:
- Inform patient of imminent examination
- Insert non-latex gloved, lubricated index finger slowly and gently, encouraging the patient to relax. Use one finger only.
- In scybala type stool is present (Bristol stool scale type-1) remove one lump at a time until no more faecal matter can be felt.
- In the case of a solid faecal mass, push the finger into the middle of the mass, split it and remove small pieces with hooked finger until no more faecal matter can be felt.
- If the faecal mass is too hard, larger than 4cm across and is impossible to break up, STOP and refer to the medical team for a possible digital removal of faeces under general anaesthetic.
