Constipation Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department and Inpatient
Constipation Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department and Inpatient
Discharge Treatment for Constipation
Maintenance Treatment for No Fecal Impaction or Treated Fecal Impaction
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Discharge all patients on 1st line medications
- Polyethylene glycol is preferred, may substitute with lactulose if family prefers or child cannot tolerate large volumes
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Prescribe 2nd line medications in addition to 1st line medications if:
- Incomplete cleanout or significant cleanout required
- Already on a 1st line medication, but symptoms persisting
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Treatment length
- Continue on medication(s) until PCP follow-up
- Maintenance treatment for at least 2 mos
- All constipation symptoms should be resolved for at least 1 mo before stopping treatment
- Decrease treatment gradually
Duration | Medications | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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1st Line PO |
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2nd Line PO |
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