Test Standard Values
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Test Standard Values
This updated resource aims to support RCN members to promote continence and manage incontinence for people with bladder and bowel problems.
Introduction
From an early age, most people have the ability to control their bladder and bowel. This is known as continence.
Continence is the ability to pass urine or faeces voluntarily in a socially acceptable place.
A person needs to be able to:
- recognise the need to void
- identify the correct place to void
- reach the toilet
- hold on until the toilet is reached
- pass urine or faeces once there.
Incontinence is the unwanted and involuntary leakage of urine or stool or wind.
Many people will be affected by incontinence at some point in their life.
It is estimated that 14 million men, women, young people and children of all ages are living with bladder problems and 6.5 million adults in the UK suffer with some form of bowel problem (NHS England, 2018).
Given the sensitive nature of the condition, many people wait a long time before discussing the issue with a health care professional.
It is estimated that fewer than 40% of people with urinary incontinence seek help for their condition from a GP or nurse. This figure is even higher for those with faecal incontinence. These conditions can have a huge impact on all areas of an individual's life, from self-esteem and wellbeing to quality of life. Yet these conditions can be managed, treated and sometimes cured with the right support and advice.
References
NHS England (2018) Excellence in Continence Care
NICE (2019) Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management NG123
About the resource
This is the second edition of the resource that has been developed by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the RCN Bladder and Bowel Forum.
It aims to support RCN members to promote continence and manage incontinence for people with bladder and bowel problems.
Who is the resource for?
Our goal is to give you a greater understanding of your role in assessing and supporting people with incontinence.
Why was the resource developed?
Conditions affecting the bladder and bowel often go unreported and therefore undiagnosed. As these conditions can be managed, treated and sometimes cured, this resource has been created to help give you a better understanding of continence, what conditions can affect continence and what you can do to assess and support individuals with continence issues.
Since the first edition, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) launched its ‘Future nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses’ in 2018, which included bladder and bowel health in nurse training.
Further resources
NMC (2018) Standards of proficiency for registered nursing associates
Learning Outcomes
After reading this resource you should be able to:
- explain how a healthy bladder and bowel works
- outline the different types of bladder and bowel problems, assessments, treatments and management solutions available
- recognise the red flags
- list the barriers to continence
- demonstrate the confidence to have open and non-judgemental discussions about bladder and bowel problems with an individual, their family and carers
- understand the needs of someone with incontinence and the impact the condition can have on them
- help the individual with bladder and bowel problems to manage their condition and support their quality of life and maintain their dignity and privacy.
