Implementation of a Constipation Action Plan for Patients Discharged From a Pediatric Hospitalist Service

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Constipation is a common pediatric issue leading to frequent healthcare utilization.
• Effective management strategies are needed to reduce healthcare burden and improve patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led constipation action plan on healthcare utilization in pediatric patients.
• To assess changes in bowel movement frequency following the intervention.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study enrolled 27 pediatric patients (ages 2-18) treated by hospitalists for constipation.
• A pharmacist created individualized constipation action plans for each patient.
• Data collected via electronic records, interviews, and pharmacist follow-up calls.

Main Results:

• Healthcare utilization decreased from 8.7 to 3 encounters per month post-intervention.
• Daily bowel movements increased from approximately 1 to 2 per day.

Conclusions:

• A patient-specific, pharmacist-led constipation action plan effectively reduced healthcare utilization.
• The intervention showed positive results in improving bowel regularity for pediatric patients.