Overcoming barriers to nurses performing digital rectal examination
- Embleton, Rebecca
- Henderson, Michelle
This article has been double-blind peer reviewed
In this article…
Why digital rectal examination is a fundamental nursing competency
Reasons why nurses do not always perform digital rectal examinations
How nurses and employing organisations can overcome the barriers
Key points
Digital rectal examination is a fundamental competency and should be undertaken before medication is administered rectally
Nurses are currently not always performing digital rectal examinations
A survey has identified a lack of awareness and training, especially in secondary care
Training is available, and nurses need to gain competence in their practice
Nurses and employing organisations both need to overcome barriers to achieving competence
Abstract Although nurses should carry out a digital rectal examination before, and sometimes after, administering rectal medication, evidence shows that this does not always happen. A bowel specialist nurse carried out a survey that suggests such examinations are performed by many nurses in community settings, but undertaken less often in hospital. Reasons given include a lack of training and awareness. Employers should ensure accessible training is available, while nurses have a responsibility to attend training and consolidate their knowledge through clinical practice.