This report examines the experiences of patients admitted to hospitals in the UK for treatment of UC between 1 January and 31 December 2013. For the first, time a specific section of questions was targeted at adolescent patients.
- All UC inpatients should receive input from specialist multidisciplinary teams with experience of managing such complex disorders. This will maximise the opportunity for provision of consistent and coordinated care.
- Local IBD teams should consider whether the general nursing staff have sufficient awareness and knowledge of IBD, and initiate appropriate educational interventions and care pathways to support high‐quality nursing. The routine involvement of specialist IBD nurses in the day‐to‐day care of IBD patients at ward level is seen as a potential driver to improve the overall experience of nursing care.
- All admitted patients with active UC require routine documentation of nutritional intake and weight. Nursing care plans should identify nutrition as a key element of day‐to‐day care. Food provided should be appropriate to patients’ dietary needs. Standard A5 of the IBD standards states that access to a dietitian should be available to all IBD patients.
- Ward medical and nursing teams should review their local policies and current practice with regard to the frequency and effectiveness of pain assessment and provision of analgesia.
- Discharge policies for IBD patients require local review to ensure that patients receive high quality pre‐discharge information regarding medication, self‐care and follow‐up plans. In particular, improvements are needed in the provision of information about potential drug side effects and the warning signs of which to be aware after discharge.