COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Supporting Clients with Complex Bowel & Stoma Care Needs course. This program is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to provide effective and dignified care for individuals with complex bowel and stoma management needs. Bowel and stoma care is a highly sensitive area requiring specialised support to ensure the health, comfort, and dignity of participants.
This course begins with a clear overview of complex bowel and stoma care, including the critical role support workers play in managing these essential care needs.
An understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal system provides the foundation for effective care. This section will introduce the structure and function of the gastrointestinal system, particularly the colon and rectum, and explain the purpose of stomas, including colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy, in supporting bowel and urinary health.
Common bowel problems such as constipation, diarrhoea, and bowel obstruction will be addressed in detail. You will learn to recognise symptoms, understand their causes, and apply appropriate management techniques to support participants effectively. Developing individualised bowel care plans, in collaboration with healthcare professionals, will also be a focus to ensure care aligns with each participant’s specific needs.
For individuals with neurological conditions, neurogenic bowel dysfunction presents unique challenges. This section will explore bowel management strategies tailored for these participants, including considerations for long-term care. You will also learn how to respond effectively to critical conditions such as autonomic dysreflexia to prevent complications and ensure participant safety.
Practical strategies for complex bowel interventions, including digital stimulation, manual evacuation, and rectal medication administration, will be covered. You will gain practical knowledge of daily stoma care practices, such as cleaning, changing, and monitoring stomas, as well as identifying and addressing complications like skin irritation, leakage, and infections.
Legal and ethical considerations are vital in complex care. This section will outline the importance of duty of care, consent, and privacy when delivering bowel and stoma care, ensuring adherence to NDIS and healthcare policies. Infection control practices, including proper hygiene, the use of PPE, and safe waste disposal, will be addressed to maintain a safe and hygienic care environment.
The course will also explore the critical role of nutrition and hydration in supporting bowel and stoma health. You will learn about the importance of fibre, hydration, and adapting meals to meet participants’ specific needs. Pain management strategies, including non-pharmacological techniques and collaboration with healthcare professionals, will be discussed to ensure participant comfort.
Addressing the psychological and emotional impact of bowel and stoma care is crucial. This section will provide tools to support participants coping with body image concerns, self-esteem issues, and emotional adjustment to stoma placement. Strategies to promote open communication and provide empathetic care will be central to supporting participants effectively.
For participants with mobility challenges, you will learn about safe positioning, assisting with transfers, and using assistive devices to promote independence and reduce risk. You will also be equipped with skills to identify and manage complications such as bowel impaction, parastomal hernias, and leakage, ensuring prompt intervention and prevention of further issues.
Special considerations for paediatric and elderly participants will be explored, focusing on age-appropriate approaches to bowel and stoma care. You will learn how to adapt care strategies to meet the specific physical, emotional, and developmental needs of these groups.
Monitoring and evaluating care outcomes is critical to delivering high-quality support. You will gain the skills to record and report bowel and stoma care activities, identify trends in bowel function and stoma health, and review care plans to ensure they remain aligned with the participant’s evolving needs.
By the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of complex bowel and stoma care practices, enabling you to deliver safe, respectful, and person-centred support. You will be equipped to enhance the quality of life for participants while maintaining their dignity, independence, and overall well-being.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Complex Bowel & Stoma Care
- Definition and Scope of Complex Bowel and Stoma Care
- Role of Support Workers in Bowel and Stoma Management
2. Anatomy and Physiology Basics
- Overview of the Gastrointestinal System
- The Role of the Colon and Rectum in Bowel Function
- Understanding Stomas and Their Functions
3. Common Bowel Problems
- Constipation: Causes, Symptoms, and Management
- Diarrhoea: Identifying Causes and Managing Complications
- Bowel Obstruction: Recognition and Intervention
4. The Importance of a Bowel Plan
- Developing an Individualised Bowel Care Plan
- Tools and Techniques for Monitoring Bowel Function
- Collaboration with Healthcare Professionals to Implement Bowel Plans
5. The Neurogenic Bowel
- Causes and Symptoms of Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction
- Bowel Management Strategies for Individuals with Neurological Conditions
- Long-Term Considerations for Neurogenic Bowel Management
6. Critical Management of Autonomic Dysreflexia
- Understanding Autonomic Dysreflexia and Its Causes
- Recognising Early Signs and Symptoms
- Immediate and Long-Term Interventions to Prevent Complications
7. Complex Care Interventions
- Digital Stimulation and Manual Evacuation Techniques
- Rectal Medication Administration
- Managing Chronic Bowel Conditions with Medical Interventions
8. Stoma Care
- Types of Stomas: Colostomy, Ileostomy, and Urostomy
- Daily Stoma Care Practices: Cleaning, Changing, and Monitoring
- Recognising and Managing Stoma Complications
9. Legal Considerations
- Understanding Duty of Care in Bowel and Stoma Care
- Consent and Privacy in Complex Care
- Adhering to NDIS and Healthcare Policies
10. Nutrition and Hydration in Bowel and Stoma Management
- The Role of Fibre in Maintaining Bowel Health
- Ensuring Proper Hydration for Optimal Function
- Nutritional Considerations for Stoma Patients
11. Infection Control and Hygiene Practices
- Hand Hygiene and PPE Use in Bowel and Stoma Care
- Safe Disposal of Waste and Contaminated Materials
- Preventing Infections Through Proper Techniques
12. Pain Management in Bowel and Stoma Care
- Recognising Pain Associated with Bowel Procedures
- Non-Pharmacological Pain Management Strategies
- Collaborating with Medical Professionals for Pain Relief
13. Psychological and Emotional Impact of Bowel and Stoma Conditions
- Addressing Body Image and Self-Esteem Issues
- Supporting Emotional Adjustment to Stoma Placement
- Encouraging Open Communication with Participants
14. Skin Integrity and Wound Management
- Preventing Skin Breakdown Around the Stoma Site
- Identifying and Managing Skin Irritation and Infections
- Proper Application of Stoma Barriers and Adhesives
15. Supporting Participants with Mobility Challenges
- Safe Positioning for Bowel and Stoma Care
- Assisting with Transfers and Bathroom Accessibility
- Using Assistive Devices to Promote Independence
16. Managing Complications in Complex Bowel and Stoma Care
- Early Recognition of Bowel Impaction and Perforation
- Addressing Parastomal Hernias and Prolapse
- Intervention for Leakage and Odour Issues
17. Special Considerations for Children and Elderly Participants
- Supporting Bowel and Stoma Care in Paediatric Participants
- Addressing Age-Related Bowel Changes in the Elderly
- Adapting Techniques to Suit Individual Developmental and Physical Needs
18. Monitoring and Evaluating Care Outcomes
- Recording and Reporting Bowel and Stoma Care Activities
- Identifying Trends in Bowel Function and Stoma Health
- Regularly Updating Care Plans Based on Participant Feedback and Needs
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.