Incontinence brochure for Physiotherapists

							                                                                                ‘PHYSICIAN
The Pro-active                          The ’Red Flags Project’ is a
Practitioner                            project of the APA Continence
                                        & Women’s Health Group funded                     HEAL
   Displays this brochure on the
                                        by the National Continence
   staff notice board                   Management Strategy: A
                                        Commonwealth Government
   Has awareness of incontinence
   problems and knowledge of
                                        Initiative. It aims to raise
                                        awareness amongst health                   THYSELF’
   appropriate local referral paths     professionals of incontinence
                                        needs of their general patients.
   Has a patient notice board and       Physiotherapists are well placed
   brochures available (see over)       to take an active role in identifying
                                        these people and assisting them          There is a one in four
   Has an information poster on
                                        to seek advice or treatment.             chance that you and each
   the back of the toilet door
                                                                                 of your patients will suffer
                                                                                 from either bladder or
   Has a private consulting area to                                              bowel control problems at
   discuss continence issues with                                                some stage in your life
   patients                             Resources
                                        Continence Hotline 1800 330 066
                                        8am to 8pm, Mon-Fri to talk to a         Incontinence is treatable
                                        Continence advisor or to get a range     Be Aware and Pro-active
                                        of brochures on specific Continence
                                        issues in a range of languages.
                                                                                 This Brochure contains information
                                        A list of Physiotherapists who are       on Red Flag issues
                                        members of the CWHG is available         and Best Practice Management
                                        from the APA office in your area.        for Your Patients
                                        The APA also has a range of
                                        information sheets to address
 AUSTRALIAN PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION   continence needs                                            AUSTRALIAN PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION
High risk
or incontinence already evident
1. Person has urine odour / urine staining of clothing or furniture
                                                                                                             INCONTINENCE
2. Person who toilets frequently or interrupts treatment to toilet
3. Involuntary loss of flatus or urine during treatment
4. Mention of “family/friend” with bladder/bowel problems
5. Abdominal bloating/discomfort or chronic constipation                                                                                                  Red Flag                  Blue Flags
6. Spinal canal stenosis / lumbosacral disc disease / neurological signs T10 – S4
                                                                                           Predisposing                                                   shows high risk           shows lower risk

7. Pelvic, perineal or perianal pain                                                       Factors                                                        patients                  patients

8. Recurrent cystitis                                                                      Medical/Surgical
                                                                                           1. Post pelvic surgery
                                                                                           2. Post pelvic irradiation
                                                                                           3. Post TURP / prostatectomy
                                                                                           4. Post THJR / # NOF
         Predisposing                                                                      5. Post hernia repair
         Factors                                                                           6. Diabetes
         Biomechanical/Environmental                                                       7. Neurological conditions eg stroke /MS / SCI/ Parkinsons Disease etc
                                                                                           8. Medications which may affect bladder/bowel function ie
         1. Increasing age                                                                     - diuretics
         2. Pregnancy & post-partum                                                            - alpha blockers
         3. Obesity                                                                            - NSAIDS
         4. COPD / Smoker / Hayfever                                                           - Antidepressants
         5. Joint laxity/abdominal striae                                                      - Opioid analgesics
         6. Acute or chronic low back / sacroiliac joint pain                                  - Prokinetics
         7. History of falls                                                               9. Chronic bowel disease
         8. Reduced mobility / dexterity / eyesight / cognition
                                                                                              (eg IBS / Crohn’s dis)
         9. Generalised weakness/debility
         10. Elite female athletes
         11. Females in enforced fitness training programs eg armed forces
         12. “Body beautiful”
         13. Weight lifters                                                                             People with your condition can also have bladder/bowel problems.
         14. Heavy manual workers
         15. Cessation of sporting activity ?                                                           Are you experiencing difficulties with either bladder or bowel function?
             due to incontinence
                                                                                                        You have some risk factors for developing bladder or bowel problems–
                                                                                                        have you noticed any?

                                                                                                        YES                                            YES                            NO
                                                                                                   In need of help                             Already receiving help          Offer information
                                                                                                                                          Enquire as to pr ogress regularly         brochure*
                                                                             Give information brochures* Referral to Continence Hotline
                                                                             Enquire regularly re progress     Continence P.T. or GP                                          *see back page for details