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💩 Bristol Stool Form Scale

UseAssess constipation and diarrhoea by transit time.

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SourceLewis SJ, Heaton KW. Scand J Gastroenterol 1997

Runs locally in your browser (no PHI uploaded). For licensed clinicians — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Stored on this device for revisit reminders

This-shift next steps

After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.

Score + version; reference only — not a substitute for care · no HIS write

Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.

Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Clinical takeaway

A simple, validated visual scale.

When to use

Assess constipation and diarrhoea by transit time.

How it works

Types 1–7; 1–2 constipation, 3–4 normal, 5–7 looser/faster transit.

Key points

  • A simple, validated visual scale.
  • Useful for monitoring bowel habit and treatment.
  • Types 3–4 are considered ideal.

References

Worked calculation

The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.

Stool type4 — Smooth, soft sausage

→Bristol type4

  • Interpretation:Normal
Stool type1 — Separate hard lumps

→Bristol type1

  • Interpretation:Constipation (slow transit)
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the limits and cautions when using Bristol Stool Form Scale?
For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
Does Bristol Stool Form Scale upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
How is Bristol Stool Form Scale calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
Inputs: Stool type 4 — Smooth, soft sausage → Result: Bristol type 4(Interpretation: Normal) Inputs: Stool type 1 — Separate hard lumps → Result: Bristol type 1(Interpretation: Constipation (slow transit))
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