Adaptation of the stomatherapy service during the COVID-19 pandemic: an experience report.

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of adapting the stomatherapy service during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Experience report related to adaptations in the work routine in times of COVID-19 pandemic, from March to May 2020, in a specialized stomatherapy center in a city in the South of Brazil. RESULTS: The work routines were adapted to suit the protection measures for workers and users who used stomatherapy services. Some assistance processes were implemented to make users' access to care more flexible, and to modify routines to increase the safety of health professionals and users. CONCLUSION: The need to adapt the physical area, rethink the dynamics of care, use personal protective equipment, and guidance for servers and patients were of fundamental importance to continue attending the population safely in times of pandemic.

Health evaluation: health assessment for people with ostomies.

OBJECTIVES: to perform an evaluation study of the Ostomy Care Service in Brazil. METHODS: a qualitative methodology was used, with a collaborative approach of the participants using the service, based on the seven elements proposed by Thurston and Ramaliu, which include service modeling and evaluation model proposal. Document analysis, direct observation, consensus workshops, and interviews with key informants were used. RESULTS: the description and construction of the theoretical-logical model of the ostomy care service, the development of evaluative questions, the construction of the analysis and judgment matrix, and the evaluation proposal were presented. Final Considerations: it was found that it is feasible to systematically evaluate the service based on its structural elements, such as its theory, material and human resources. The proposed evaluation aims to provide support for improving the quality of care.

Improving Self-Care Outcomes in Ostomy Patients via Education and Standardized Discharge Criteria.

Adjusting to life with a new ostomy is a daunting prospect for many patients. Without proper education, complications can occur, some requiring hospital readmission. Many home healthcare nurses also face the challenge of training new ostomy patients in self-care. The purpose of this quality improvement pilot study was to improve outcomes in a sample of new ostomy patients by implementing an intervention consisting of nurse and patient education. The study was conducted at a Southern California home healthcare agency with an average patient census of 270. The participants were 30 home healthcare nurses (6 licensed vocational nurses and 24 registered nurses). We followed the outcomes of four home healthcare patients with new ostomies. The nurse ostomy education session included both didactic and hands-on components to promote practice change. Patient education was guided by the use of an evidence-based ostomy skills checklist adapted from the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society's ostomy discharge criteria. Nurse's skills and competence were measured and compared via results from a 10-question pre- and postintervention nurse self-assessment survey. Patient outcomes were measured and compared via pre- and postintervention chart reviews examining three factors: number of weeks on service, number of visits to reach independence, and number of unscheduled visits. Statistical analysis of survey data showed a significant change in the scores for all questions, indicating the nurses felt more confident managing ostomies after the education session. After the intervention, the number of weeks patients were on service for a new ostomy diagnosis decreased by an average of 1.5 weeks; patients required 50% fewer visits to reach independence; and unscheduled visits decreased by 500%.

Health evaluation: health assessment for people with ostomies / Evaluación de salud: evaluación de salud para las personas ostómicas / Avaliação em saúde: avaliabilidade de serviços de saúde para pessoas com ostomia

ABSTRACT Objectives: to perform an evaluation study of the Ostomy Care Service in Brazil. Methods: a qualitative methodology was used, with a collaborative approach of the participants using the service, based on the seven elements proposed by Thurston and Ramaliu, which include service modeling and evaluation model proposal. Document analysis, direct observation, consensus workshops, and interviews with key informants were used. Results: the description and construction of the theoretical-logical model of the ostomy care service, the development of evaluative questions, the construction of the analysis and judgment matrix, and the evaluation proposal were presented. Final Considerations: it was found that it is feasible to systematically evaluate the service based on its structural elements, such as its theory, material and human resources. The proposed evaluation aims to provide support for improving the quality of care.

RESUMEN Objetivos: realizar un estudio de evaluación del Servicio de Atención de Ostomía en Brasil. Métodos: se utilizó una metodología cualitativa, con un enfoque colaborativo de los actores involucrados en el servicio, basado en los siete elementos propuestos por Thurston y Ramaliu, que incluyen el modelo de servicio y la propuesta de modelo de evaluación. Se utilizaron análisis de documentos, observación directa, talleres de consenso y entrevistas con informantes clave. Resultados: se presentaron la descripción y construcción del modelo teórico-lógico del servicio de atención de ostomía, la elaboración de las preguntas evaluativas, la construcción de la matriz de análisis y juicio y la propuesta de evaluación. Consideraciones Finales: se encontró que es factible evaluar sistemáticamente el servicio a partir de elementos estructurales, como su teoría, materiales y recursos humanos. La evaluación propuesta tiene como objetivo proporcionar apoyo para mejorar la calidad de la atención.

RESUMO Objetivos: realizar Estudo de Avaliabilidade do Serviço de Atenção às pessoas com ostomia no Brasil. Métodos: empregou-se metodologia qualitativa, com abordagem colaborativa dos atores envolvidos no serviço, baseada nos sete elementos propostos por Thurston e Ramaliu, que incluem a modelização do serviço e proposta de modelo avaliativo. Utilizou-se análise documental, observação direta, oficinas de consenso e entrevistas com informantes-chave. Resultados: foi realizada a descrição e a construção do modelo teórico-lógico do serviço de atenção às pessoas com ostomia, a elaboração das perguntas avaliativas, a construção da matriz de análise e julgamento, e apresentada proposta de avaliação. Consideraç ões Finais: verificou-se que é viável a avaliação sistemática do serviço a partir de elementos estruturantes, tais como sua teoria, recursos materiais e humanos. A avaliação proposta almeja fornecer subsídios para melhoria da qualidade da atenção.

Assessment of Prelicensure Undergraduate Baccalaureate Nursing Students: Ostomy Knowledge, Skill Experiences, and Confidence in Care.

Care of the patient with an ostomy is included in the curriculum of prelicensure nursing programs, but no studies examining student nurses' knowledge about stoma care have been published. The purpose of this project was to examine the ostomy knowledge, experiences, and confidence of nursing students in order to assess and improve the curriculum. At the end of the fall 2016 semester, students enrolled in 3 separate nursing courses in an undergraduate program were asked to participate in a project to examine students' ostomy knowledge, their experiences, and their confidence in providing care. This project was undertaken to explore the college's ostomy curriculum. Participation was voluntary, and no student who was willing to participate was excluded. Students completed a 50-question knowledge test, answered questions about the frequency of performing ostomy-related skills, and rated their confidence in providing ostomy care. Responses were examined with descriptive and inferential statistics. Of 189 possible participants, 138 completed the questionnaires and included mostly women (113, 81.9%); participant mean age was 27.26 ± 6.22 years. The mean number of correct knowledge responses was 35.66 (71.32%); 66 participants (47.8%) reported no experience caring for a patient with an ostomy. The most common skills performed in clinical rotations were emptying (49) and changing (24) the pouch. A scale of 1 to 5 was used to evaluate 6 confidence items, with students having a mean confidence score of 19.54 ± 5.20. They had the most confidence in their ability to empty a pouch and to size and fit the pouching and the least confidence in teaching and community resources. Confidence was related to the number of skills performed in the lab (r = .32; P <.001), the number of skills performed in clinical practice (r = .38; P <.001), and ostomy knowledge scores (r = .23; P <.007). Total correct knowledge scores did not differ significantly by year in the educational program. Based on the results of this survey, it was concluded that students had a beginning knowledge about ostomy care and very limited clinical experience, yet confidence in providing ostomy care was high. Curriculum adjustments were implemented, including strategies for increasing ostomy knowledge, opportunities to provide care, and confidence; these need further investigation in prelicensure undergraduate nursing programs. The effect of curriculum adjustments remains to be evaluated.

A Resource Guide to Improve Nursing Care and Transition to Self-Care for Patients With Ostomies.

Clinical management of patients with an ostomy can be complex and stressful. With only 10% of Wound Ostomy Incontinence Nurses working in home health, home healthcare nurses need to be knowledgeable about care of patients with new ostomies. This article provides an overview of the resources available to guide nurses caring for ostomy patients. In addition, resources nurses can share with patients as they transition into the community are provided.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Determining Variances in Ostomy Skin Conditions and the Economic Impact (ADVOCATE Trial).

PURPOSE: To compare ostomy-related costs and incidence of peristomal skin complications (PSCs) for ceramide-infused ostomy skin barriers and control skin barriers. DESIGN: The ADVOCATE trial is a multi-centered randomized controlled trial, and double-blinded international study with an adaptive design. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 153 adults from 25 sites from the United States, Canada, and Europe. Participants were seen in hospital and outpatient care settings. METHODS: Data were collected by investigators at each site during face-to-face visits and during telephone check-in calls between visits. Cost of care data were collected using a questionnaire developed specifically for the study. The peristomal skin was assessed using the Ostomy Skin Tool. Health-related quality of life was measured using the SF-12v2. Patient-reported outcomes were collected using a patient-centered study-specific questionnaire. Cost of care was analyzed via analysis of covariance comparing total cost of care for 12 weeks between the 2 groups. The incidence of PSC was analyzed via Barnard's exact test comparing the incidence of PSCs between the control and treatment groups. Tertiary outcomes were exploratory in nature and not statistically powered. RESULTS: Use of the ceramide-infused barrier significantly reduced stoma-related cost of care over a 12-week period, resulting in a $36.46 decrease in cost (14% relative decrease). The adjusted average costs were $223.73 in the treatment group and $260.19 in the control group (P = .017). The overall incidence of PSCs in the study was 47.7%; PSC incidence was 40.5% for the treatment group versus 55.4% for controls (P = .069, 95% confidence interval of the difference: -1.2 to 30.4). Significantly more participants using the ceramide-infused skin barrier were "very satisfied" with barrier performance (75% vs 55%; P = .033), prevention of leakage (63% vs 38%; P < .01), and prevention of itching (53% vs 31%; P = .016). General postoperative improvement in health-related quality of life was noted in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a ceramide-infused barrier significantly decreased cost and increased satisfaction with patient-reported outcomes.

Clinical and Economic Burden of Peristomal Skin Complications in Patients With Recent Ostomies.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the risk and economic burden of peristomal skin complications (PSCs) in a large integrated healthcare system in the Midwestern United States. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 128 patients; 40% (n = 51) underwent colostomy, 50% (n = 64) underwent ileostomy, and 10% (n = 13) underwent urostomy. Their average age was 60.6 ± 15.6 years at the time of ostomy surgery. METHODS: Using administrative data, we retrospectively identified all patients who underwent colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy between January 1, 2008, and November 30, 2012. Trained medical abstractors then reviewed the clinical records of these persons to identify those with evidence of PSC within 90 days of ostomy surgery. We then examined levels of healthcare utilization and costs over a 120-day period, beginning with date of surgery, for patients with and without PSC, respectively. Our analyses were principally descriptive in nature. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 128 patients who underwent ostomy surgery (colostomy, n = 51 [40%]; ileostomy, n = 64 [50%]; urostomy, n = 13 [10%]). Approximately one-third (36.7%) had evidence of a PSC in the 90-day period following surgery (urinary diversion, 7.7%; colostomy, 35.3%; ileostomy, 43.8%). The average time from surgery to PSC was 23.7 ± 20.5 days (mean ± SD). Patients with PSC had index admissions that averaged 21.5 days versus 13.9 days for those without these complications. Corresponding rates of hospital readmission within the 120-day period following surgery were 47% versus 33%, respectively. Total healthcare costs over 120 days were almost $80,000 higher for patients with PSCs. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of ostomy patients over a 5-year study period had evidence of PSCs within 90 days of surgery. Costs of care were substantially higher for patients with these complications.

Quality of life, wellbeing and care needs of Irish ostomates.

Having a stoma can reduce a person's quality of life and cause distress. A survey of people in Ireland who have had a stoma for an average of 15 years found that, while they now have a similar quality of life to the general population, they have poorer mental health and a higher level of sexual dysfunction. Respondents want to talk about their experiences and may benefit from more opportunities to talk to others with a stoma or to stoma care nurses. While most patient information suggests that patients can return to their usual diet and their clothes, a majority of ostomates have to make changes in these areas; some dietary changes have implications for their health. Ostomates in Ireland experience continuing problems with leakages and peristomal skin. These issues show there is a need for routine, regular follow up of ostomates by stoma care nurses. Although most patients found follow up by a community stoma care nurse helpful, the provision of this type of service varies.

Guidelines for a Comprehensive Care Program to Ostomized Patients and Families: a Nursing proposal.

OBJECTIVES: describe care needs and demands that mark the discursive practices of ostomized clients and family members and discuss guidelines for a comprehensive care program to ostomized clients and their families, organized by macrosociological categories. METHOD: Creative and Sensitive, involving 17 ostomized subjects and family members at a municipal outpatient clinic. The ethical aspects were complied with. A characterization form was used, as well as Creativity and Sensitivity Dynamics: "speaking map", "body-knowledge" and "calendar". Critical Discourse Analysis was applied. RESULTS: the health needs and care demands of the ostomized patients and their family members, in their multiple dimensions, were constituted in the home and community, outpatient and social context, implying new orientations for nursing care. The unveiling of the data brought elements that constituted guidelines, in a macrosociological approach, to achieve the expanded integrality of nursing care. CONCLUSION: the ostomized clients are unique in their genre/peculiar from Latin sui generis, calling for strategies that respond to and distinguish their specificities. Elaborating a Public Health Policy that improves and reorganizes the care demands, taking into account these individual biopsychosocial and spiritual aspects, is a possible and irrevocable target in the attempt to achieve better conditions of health and wellbeing.

A Cost-Utility Model of Care for Peristomal Skin Complications.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic and humanistic implications of using ostomy components to prevent subsequent peristomal skin complications (PSCs) in individuals who experience an initial, leakage-related PSC event. DESIGN: Cost-utility analysis. METHODS: We developed a simple decision model to consider, from a payer's perspective, PSCs managed with and without the use of ostomy components over 1 year. The model evaluated the extent to which outcomes associated with the use of ostomy components (PSC events avoided; quality-adjusted life days gained) offset the costs associated with their use. RESULTS: Our base case analysis of 1000 hypothetical individuals over 1 year assumes that using ostomy components following a first PSC reduces recurrent events versus PSC management without components. In this analysis, component acquisition costs were largely offset by lower resource use for ostomy supplies (barriers; pouches) and lower clinical utilization to manage PSCs. The overall annual average resource use for individuals using components was about 6.3% ($139) higher versus individuals not using components. Each PSC event avoided yielded, on average, 8 additional quality-adjusted life days over 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: In our analysis, (1) acquisition costs for ostomy components were offset in whole or in part by the use of fewer ostomy supplies to manage PSCs and (2) use of ostomy components to prevent PSCs produced better outcomes (fewer repeat PSC events; more health-related quality-adjusted life days) over 1 year compared to not using components.

Guidelines for a Comprehensive Care Program to Ostomized Patients and Families: a Nursing proposal / Diretrizes para um Programa de Atenção Integral ao Estomizado e Família: uma proposta de Enfermagem1 / Directivas para un Programa de Atención Integral al Ostomizado y Familia: una propuesta de Enfermería

Objectives: describe care needs and demands that mark the discursive practices of ostomized clients and family members and discuss guidelines for a comprehensive care program to ostomized clients and their families, organized by macrosociological categories. Method: Creative and Sensitive, involving 17 ostomized subjects and family members at a municipal outpatient clinic. The ethical aspects were complied with. A characterization form was used, as well as Creativity and Sensitivity Dynamics: "speaking map", "body-knowledge" and "calendar". Critical Discourse Analysis was applied. Results: the health needs and care demands of the ostomized patients and their family members, in their multiple dimensions, were constituted in the home and community, outpatient and social context, implying new orientations for nursing care. The unveiling of the data brought elements that constituted guidelines, in a macrosociological approach, to achieve the expanded integrality of nursing care. Conclusion: the ostomized clients are unique in their genre/peculiar from Latin sui generis, calling for strategies that respond to and distinguish their specificities. Elaborating a Public Health Policy that improves and reorganizes the care demands, taking into account these individual biopsychosocial and spiritual aspects, is a possible and irrevocable target in the attempt to achieve better conditions of health and wellbeing.

Objetivos: descrever necessidades e demandas de cuidado que marcam as práticas discursivas de clientes estomizados e familiares e discutir diretrizes para um programa de atenção integral ao cliente estomizado e sua família, organizadas por categorias macrossociológicas. Método: Criativo e Sensível, desenvolvido com dezessete sujeitos estomizados e familiares, em um ambulatório municipal. Os aspectos éticos foram atendidos. Utilizado formulário de caracterização e Dinâmicas de Criatividade e Sensibilidade: "mapa-falante", "corpo-saber" e "almanaque". Aplicada a Análise Crítica do Discurso. Resultados: as necessidades de saúde e demandas de cuidado dos estomizados e familiares, em suas múltiplas dimensões, foram constituídas no contexto domiciliar e comunitário, ambulatorial e societal, implicando em novo direcionamento para o cuidado de enfermagem. O desvelamento dos dados trouxe elementos que se constituíram em diretrizes, de abordagem macrossociológica, para o alcance da integralidade ampliada do cuidado de enfermagem. Conclusão: o cliente estomizado é único em seu gênero/peculiar do latim sui generis, levando-se a pensar em estratégia que atenda e discrimine suas especificidades. Elaborar uma Política Pública de Saúde que aperfeiçoe e reorganize as demandas de cuidado, levando em conta os aspectos biopsicossociais e espirituais desse indivíduo é meta possível e irrevogável no ensejo de melhores condições de sua saúde e bem-estar.

Objetivos: describir necesidades y demandas de cuidado que marcan las prácticas discursivas de clientes ostomizados y familiares y discutir directivas para un programa de atención integral al cliente ostomizado y su familia, organizadas por categorías macrosociológicas. Método: Creativo y Sensibles, desarrollado con diecisiete sujetos ostomizados y familiares, en un ambulatorio municipal. Los aspectos éticos fueron atendidos. Utilizado formulario de caracterización y Dinámicas de Creatividad y Sensibilidad: "mapa-hablante", "cuerpo-saber" y "almanaque". Aplicado el Análisis Crítico del Discurso. Resultados: las necesidades de salud y demandas de cuidado de los ostomizados y familiares, en sus múltiples dimensiones, fueron constituidas en el contexto domiciliar y comunitario, ambulatorio y social, implicando nuevo direccionamiento para el cuidado de enfermería. El desvelamiento de los datos trajo elementos que aportaron directivas, con aproximación macrosociológica, para el alcance de la integralidad ampliada del cuidado de enfermería. Conclusión: el cliente ostomizado es único en su género/peculiar del latín sui generis, llevándose a pensar en estrategia que atienda y discrimine sus especificidades. Elaborar una Política Pública de Salud que perfeccione y reorganice las demandas de cuidado, considerando los aspectos biopsicosociales y espirituales de ese individuo es blanco posible e irrevocable con el objetivo de mejores condiciones de su salud y bienestar.

Assessing the Validity and Reliability of the Peristomal Skin Lesion Assessment Instrument Adapted for Use in Turkey.

Many ostomy patients experience peristomal skin lesions. A descriptive study was conducted to assess the validity, usability, and reliability of the Peristomal Skin Lesions Assessment instrument (SACS instrument) adapted to Turkish from English. The SACS Instrument consists of 2 main assessments: lesion type (utilizing definitions and photographs) and lesion area by location around the ostomy. The study was performed in 2 stages: 1) the SACS language was changed and its content validity established; and 2) the instrument\'92s content validity and inter-observer agreement (consistency) were determined among pairs of nurses who used the tool to assess peristomal skin lesions. Patients (included if they were >18 years old and receiving treatment/observation at 1 of the 4 participating stomatherapy units) and 8 stomatherapy nurses also completed appropriate sociodemographic questionnaires. Of the 393 patients screened during the 7-month study, 100 (average age 56.74 \'b1 14.03 years, 55 men) participated; most (79) had a planned operation. A little more than half (59) of the patients had colorectal cancer and 28 had their stoma site marked preoperatively by a stomatherapy nurse. The most common peristomal skin lesion risk factors were having an ileostomy and unplanned surgery. The content validity index of the entire Turkish SACS instrument was 1, and the inter-observer agreement Kappa statistic was very good (K = 0.90, 95% CI 0.80- 0.99). Individual SACS item K values ranged from K = 0.84 (95% CI 0.63\'961) to K = 1 (95% CI 1). Most (62.5%) nurses found the terms and pictures used in the SACS classification adequate and suitable, and 50% believed the Turkish version of the SACS instrument was a valid and suitable assessment tool for use by Turkish stomatherapy nurses. Validity and reliability studies involving larger and more diverse patient and nurse samples are warranted.

Key Messages in prescribing for stoma care.

With £248 million spent on stoma appliances and accessories throughout England in 2013 (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2014) value for money and control of this process is seen to be of high priority. This does not have to mean restricted access of appliances, rather that there is appropriate usage of the budget. This article looks at how the stoma care team collaborated with the local clinical commissioning group (CCG) in order for the local surgeries to gain a better understanding of the needs of their local stoma care population. It was hoped that this would facilitate further control in the ordering (by the patient or GP) of stoma care products. The Key Messages produced are to be used as a tool to aid cost-effective stoma care.

Development of a chronic care ostomy self-management program.

Each year a percentage of the 1.2 million men and women in the United States with a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer join the 700,000 people who have an ostomy. Education targeting the long-term, chronic care of this population is lacking. This report describes the development of a Chronic Care Ostomy Self-Management Program, which was informed by (1) evidence on published quality-of-life changes for cancer patients with ostomies, (2) educational suggestions from patients with ostomies, and (3) examination of the usual care of new ostomates to illustrate areas for continued educational emphases and areas for needed education and support. Using these materials, the Chronic Care Ostomy Self-Management Program was developed by a team of multi-disciplinary researchers accompanied by experienced ostomy nurses. Testing of the program is in process. Pilot study participants reported high satisfaction with the program syllabus, ostomy nurse leaders, and ostomate peer buddies.

Strategies to reduce treatment costs of peristomal skin complications.

Peristomal skin complications (PSCs) are common and troublesome and the consequences are substantial both for the patient and from a health-economic viewpoint. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that early detection and treatment of PSCs, combined with the use of a correctly fitted and appropriate pouching system, can reduce treatment costs-in the UK, it is estimated to save £28.1m annually. A model for cost estimation of PSCs and a real-life global data set of people with stomas are used for the calculations. A high priority should be given to ensuring resources are available to provide education, guidance and assistance to people with a stoma. This would support increased awareness of the first signs of PSCs and enable self-management at an early stage.