Strategies to improve bowel preparation in adult outpatients: a scoping review of the literature.

BACKGROUND

Colonoscopy represents the gold standard in the evaluation of the colon and the terminal section of the ileum. For the patient to receive a quality examination, it is important that the colon reaches an adequate level of preparation. Factors that can affect bowel cleansing are: the type of preparation used, the patient's compliance with the instructions provided, medications, fluid intake, and waiting time for the procedure. The aim of this scoping review is to research the best preventive strategy to improve the quality of intestinal preparation in adult patients undergoing elective colonoscopy.

METHODS

A scoping review of the literature was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and in line with Arksey and O'Malley's framework, within four main databases of biomedical interest: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science.

RESULTS

The review process resulted in a total of 12 scientific articles being suitable, all meeting the inclusion criteria. The studies included in the review have shown several interventions effective in increasing the quality of intestinal preparation: written materials, short message service (SMS), instructional videos, websites, smartphone applications, telephone support and verbal communication.

CONCLUSIONS

The appropriate intervention should be chosen according to local preferences and characteristics of the target population, as well as institutional resources and budget.