Guidelines for Integrated Care (Psychiatric & Medical)

In the Community

Module III: Management of Bowel Dysfunction

Training ObjectivesAppreciate the need for integrated care in the mental

health community to prevent premature deaths and increased disability from bowel dysfunction

Understand the levels of risk and factors associated with bowel dysfunction.

Identify persons with mental illness in their caseload who are at risk for or who have already experienced bowel dysfunction.

Identify actions that will aid the persons with bowel dysfunction in communicating their needs and manage their symptoms.

Physiology of Digestion

Realistic Diagram

Understanding the problemBowel dysfunction: Problems with the frequency,

consistency and/or ability to control bowel movements such as:ConstipationFecal impactionObstructionPerforationMegacolon development

Deaths in psychiatric settings are increasingly reported as a result of bowel dysfunction.

Role of GuidelinesGuidelines can serve as aids in development of protocols for

working with affected persons in community case loads.

Guidelines begin with knowing who in community-based case loads is at risk, who is already diagnosed, and who is showing signs of consequences of bowel dysfunction.

Implementation includes identifying and communicating with both client and team members. It includes:The ability to identify symptoms, consult, advise, educate,

support and refer persons with bowel dysfunction.To recognize and get appropriate help for potentially

deadly symptoms of MEGACOLON—a true medical emergency.

Bowel Dysfunction and Mental Illness• Elimination of body waste is not a usual or particularly comfortable

topic and is not generally discussed.

• However, dysfunction in bowel evacuation is not a laughing matter when outside of the normal experience.

• Extremes of bowel dysfunction disrupt a person’s entire life, and if not recognized or not treated, may result in death.

• Persons with mental illnesses are particularly vulnerable to bowel dysfunction.

• Rendering support and assistance are more likely to happen when mental health community providers have knowledge the skills to recognize, support and intervene/refer when appropriate.

• FIRST YOU HAVE TO ASK.

Case Managers and Integrated CareKnowledge needed by case managers when their clients

who have, or are at risk for developing bowel dysfunction include:

Understanding the potential for serious complication

Understanding the necessity for supporting preventative activities such as adherence to dietary restrictions, exercise and self-monitoring/management needs

Case managers also need the support of their team members and agencies in providing much needed integrated care.

Role of Psychiatric MedicationRisk for bowel dysfunction is, in part, related to

medications that block the nerves that control the automatic functions of certain muscles in the body (Anticholinergic effect).

The affected muscles are particularly important to the normal movement of the intestines in the elimination of body waste products.

Warning Signs/Sx of Anticholinergic Effects

Memory loss and confusion

Lightheadedness and mental fogginess/inability to concentrate

Wandering/inability to sustain a train of thought

Incoherent speech

Visual and auditory hallucinations/illusions

Agitation

Euphoria or Dysphoria

Respiratory depression

Warning Signs/Sx of Anticholinergic Effects

• Dry mouth

• Loss of coordination (ataxia)

• Dry, sore throat

• Increased body temperature

• Dilated pupils and loss of visual ability to focus/accommodate/double vision

• Increased heart rate

• Tendency to be easily startled

• Urinary retention

• Shaking

Bowel Dysfunction: Contributing Factors

Genetic predisposition

Narcotic pain-killers such as benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan, etc.)

Low fiber diet

Limited fluid intake

Disruption in routine

Ignoring the urge

Lack of privacy

Sedentary life style

Bowel Dysfunction: Contributing Factors

Stress

Hypothyroidism

Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis

Overuse of antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum

Depression

Eating disorders

Colon Cancer

Bowel Dysfunction: Contributing Factors

Medication

Narcotics such as benzodiazapines (Valium, Ativan, Xanax, etc.)

Antidepressants such as tricyclics , SSRIs, SNRIs Elavil, Desyrel, etc. Celexa, Prozac, Paxil, etc. Cynbalta, Effexor, etc.

Second Generation/Atypical antipsychotics Ablify, Clozaril, Zyprexa, etc.

Iron pills

Bowel Dysfunction: Contributing Factors

Overuse of laxatives can weaken the bowel muscles:

Metamucil

FiberCon

Citrucel

Glycerin suppositories

Docusate/Colace

Polyethylene Glycol

Milk of Magnesia

Bisacodyl/Dulcolax/Correctol (these stimulant laxative should only be used for a few days at most)

Symptoms of ConstipationInfrequent bowel movements and/or difficulty having

bowel movements as evidenced by: Less than 3 bowel movements a week Straining or difficulty in evacuating bowel at least

25% of the time

More Serious Symptoms That may Indicate Obstructed Bowel• Swollen abdomen or abdominal pain• Pain• Vomiting• Cramping and belly pain that comes and goes • Pain occur around or below the belly button• Bloating• Constipation and a lack of gas indicate complete

blockage of the intestine• Diarrhea, if intestine is partly blocked

Chronic Constipation

Immediate Medical Attention Required: Megacolon

What is Megacolon?• Megacolon is an abnormal dilation of the colon (a part of the

large intestines) 

• The dilatation is often accompanied by a paralysis of the peristaltic movements of the bowel

• In more extreme cases, the feces consolidate into hard masses inside the colon, called fecalomas (literally, fecal tumor), which can require surgery to be removed

• THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY!

• All of the symptoms of obstruction may be present

–ABDOMINAL PAIN IS SEVERE AND CONSTANT

What is Megacolon?Rare event—a portion of the large intestine is paralyzed

and swells to many times its normal size

Happens suddenly

Worsening abdominal pain

Visibly distended or bloated abdomen

Abdominal tenderness

Fever

Vomiting

Megacolon: Signs/Sx• Constipation of very long duration

• Abdominal bloating

• Abdominal tenderness and tympany, abdominal pain, palpation of hard fecal masses

• In toxic megacolon: fever, low blood potassium, tachycardia and shock

• Stercoral ulcers (ulcer of the colon due to pressure and irritation resulting from severe, prolonged constipation) are sometimes observed in chronic megacolon - which may lead to perforation of the intestinal wall in approximately 3% of the cases, leading to sepsis and risk of death

Megacolonhttp://medlineplus.gov

Megacolon66 y.o. man with schizophrenia – no BM for 1 month, presented with

constipation, shortness of breath, and severe abdominal pain

Risk classificationsPlease remember that the level of risk for megacolon is

determined by RN or MD

If you notice the client is having difficulties—consult with RN or MD

Low RiskNo personal or family history of bowel problem

No abnormal findings on medical record or alerts from RN’s/Psychiatrist on team re medications/blood and other medical tests

No report from client regarding any difficulty with bowel movement (when asked or spontaneously)

Low Risk

Does not take medication with known anti-cholinergic effects/nervous system depressants:

pain medications

muscle relaxants

anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines)

sleeping agents (Benadryl/diphenhydramine)

EPS prophylactic agents (Cogentin/benztropine, Artane)

anti-psychotic medications

anti-depressants

Moderate risk • Meets some of the following criteria but no current problem refer to

team RN/MD

• Personal past history of bowel problems

• Family history reported

• Takes one or more medications with some anti-cholinergic activity e.g. Clozaril (antipsychotic) and Cogentin (antiparkinsonian agent)—check over the counter medication and from primary care practitioners

• History of occasional constipation

• RN/Psychiatrist report some abnormal findings indicative of bowel dysfunction

 

High RiskCurrent problems

Refer to team RN/MD—possible specialty referral needed

Personal and family history of bowel problems

Takes more than one medication with high anticholinergic activity/constipation effect (polypharmacy)

History of fecal impaction, and/or current constipation

Current or recent (possibly chronic) use of laxatives

Frequent complaints of constipation

Approaching the Question of Bowel Dysfunction:

How to approach this topic ---- which tends to be uncomfortable for both the person asking the questions and the person of whom they are being asked.

One example:

“The medications you are taking can make it difficult for you to have a bowel movement. That can have very serious consequences. It is important for you to keep track of any issues you might be having.”

                

“When is my constipation a more serious problem?”

Only a small number of patients with constipation have a more serious medical problem

If constipation persists for more than two weeks, a physician or nurse practitioner should be seen to determine the source of the problem and treat it

If constipation is caused by colon cancer, early detection and treatment is very important

     

Healthy AssumptionAssume that all vomiting clients (especially those in

high risk categories) to have a bowel obstruction

A person with schizophrenia may have altered pain perception and therefore may not notice bowel issues

Self-management strategiesMonitoring Questions:

Are you having less that 3 bowel movements a week?Do you strain a lot when you are trying to have a

bowel movement?Do you have lumpy hard stools or a sensation of not

getting it all out more than 25% of time?Use of a monthly “calendar” might be helpful to keep

track

Suggestions on Approaching the Subject

Treat this issue like any sensitive and confidential clinical issue. Find a private place and suitable time to talk

Tell the client that you want to discuss the client’s bowel management issue

Explain that it is part of the client’s overall health and it is oftentimes a difficult and private subject to discuss

Explain that because clients sometimes are too embarrassed to discuss bowel management issues, some encounter problems which could have been prevented if dealt with sooner

Clinically Precise and Sensitive WordingWords and how they are used are very important to how

your conversation will move forward

Use words like: “bowel movement”, “stool”, “constipation”, and “diarrhea”

What are some other words that you can use to discuss this topic in a kind and sensitive way?

All Risk Groups NeedEducation:

High fiber dietExerciseDrinking fluids (6-8 ounces water or other non-

carbonated fluids--not to excess)Keep track of bowel movements

ReminderMental health is essential to overall health and other

physical health

Physical health is essential to mental health and recovery

ReminderDevelop primary/specialty care resources available

Develop relationships in community

Develop protocols for consistent collaboration and prevention/wellness servicesFor example, finance/billing: Review use of

Behavioral Health (Community) Medicaid and inclusion of collaborating in indirect service costs

Reminder

Encouraging services that include identification and monitoring of other physical health issues:

Amended job descriptions

Updated policies and forms

Staff performance indicators and evaluation

Amended mission and vision 

CASE STUDIES

See Handout

Case Study 1Joseph is an African-American male in his mid 50s. He

has a long history of Schizoaffective disorder with multiple hospitalizations. Joseph lives in a group home. He smokes heavily and has a diagnosis of COPD. He often complains of indigestion, bloating and constipation and he was treated for fecal impaction about 8 months ago.

He is currently prescribed Seroquel, Haldol, and Cogentin. He has been also taking medication for constipation and heartburn. Joseph has not had a bowel movement for the past 14 days.

Case Study 1You are a CPST worker

Create a set of specific talking points on how to approach Harry

Role play this interaction with a partner next to you. Take turns playing the CPST worker and Joseph

Have fun role playing. Be imaginative but realistic

Case Study 2Harry is a Caucasian male in his late 20s. He was diagnosed

with paranoid schizophrenia four years ago with history of multiple involuntary hospitalizations. During the past 12 months, Harry was prescribed Prolixin, Risperdal Consta, Zyprexa, Cogentin and anti-anxiety medication.

Harry has been complaining of GI symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion and constipation for the past several months and was prescribed Mylanta and Milk of Magnesia for GI related problems.

Yesterday, a CPST worker observed Harry to have diarrhea during transport to a housing appointment and just this morning the same CPST worker observed Harry vomited in his apartment.

Case Study 2You are that CPST worker

Create a set of specific talking points on what you would say to Harry

Role play this interaction with a partner next to you. Take turns playing the CPST worker and Harry

Have fun role playing. Be imaginative but realistic

Case Study 3Sarah was a 14 year old teenager hospitalized at a state

mental facility. She was diagnosed with Autism and Schizophrenia. Sarah passed away on February 13, 2006.

The medical examiner said the 14-year-old died of severe intestinal blockage that medical records showed went unnoticed by doctors and nurses.

Sarah vomited several times the night before she died. The next morning, staffers found her body with an enlarged abdomen and brown substance oozing from her mouth. Sarah had no pulse and was lying in vomit.

Case Study 3You are a member of the Critical Incident Committee,

the committee that examines critical incidences at the hospital and to recommend quality improvement measures to the Medical Director of that state psychiatric facility.

What are some early warning signs and symptoms that this patient may have exhibited or reported?

How would you as a line staff at the hospital approach the patient when you see her not eat for the past day or so?

Recommend some specific and sensitive talking points in broaching the subject of bowel management with the patient.