End of life: a need for bowel care guidance

Patients receiving end-of-life and palliative care often need help to manage their bowel care. Although several policies on palliative care have been introduced in recent years, there is a lack of guidance specifically on bowel management for patients approaching death. This article highlights the gaps in guidance, and discusses how nurses can alleviate patients’ distress and best preserve, their dignity while managing their bowel care.