Importance of stoma care nurses in preparing patients for stoma surgery and adjustment to life with a stoma.

BACKGROUND: Stoma surgery is a life-changing event and patients must subsequently make significant adjustments to their lives. AIM: The study set out to understand the level of interaction between patients and stoma care nurses (SCNs) in relation to preparing patients for stoma surgery and in adjustment to life with a stoma. METHODS: Retrospective, self-reported questionnaires for patients and SCNs. FINDINGS: Most patients (98%) with planned stoma surgery had pre-operative consultations with health professionals in contrast to 36% of patients with unplanned surgery, who did not. One third of patients with unplanned surgery did not feel prepared for life with a stoma based on the information provided during their hospital stay. Two thirds of the nurses reported having sufficient time to prepare patients for stoma surgery and to life with a stoma. CONCLUSION: SCNs are key in preparing patients for surgery and for life with a stoma. Variations in care were experienced by patients having planned versus unplanned surgeries.

The Ostomy Skin Tool 2.0: a new instrument for assessing peristomal skin changes.

BACKGROUND: Peristomal skin complications (PSCs) are frequently reported postoperative complications. PSCs can present visibly or as symptoms such as pain, itching or burning sensations. AIM: To develop a new tool that can capture a range of sensation symptoms together with visible complications and an objective assessment of discolouration in the peristomal area. METHOD: Consensus from qualitative interviews with health professionals and people with an ostomy, and input from expert panels, formed the basis of a patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaire. A decision tree model was used to define a combined score including PRO and objectively assessed discolouration area. FINDINGS: Six elements were included in the PRO questionnaire and four health states representing different severity levels of the peristomal skin were defined. CONCLUSION: The Ostomy Skin Tool 2.0 is a sensitive tool that can be used to follow changes in the peristomal skin on a regular basis and thereby help prevent severe PSCs.

Challenges faced by people with a stoma: peristomal body profile risk factors and leakage.

AIM: The Ostomy Life Study 2019 aimed to obtain a better understanding of the challenges faced by people with stoma. METHODS: Online survey with participants from 17 countries. FINDINGS: Of the 54 614 individuals invited to take part, 5187 responded; 62% of the respondents avoided physical and social activities because of their stoma and 37% had never consulted their stoma care nurse to have the fit of their stoma product checked. In a subgroup receiving questions on leakage (n=4209), output under the baseplate and leakage onto clothes were experienced within the previous month by 76% and 26% of respondents, respectively. Higher chance of leakage was associated with an irregular stoma shape and peristomal body profile; a stoma level at or below the skin surface; and the presence of creases, folds and other changes in the peristomal area. CONCLUSION: Leakage and access to a stoma care nurse to provide the necessary care and guidance remain important concerns for individuals with a stoma.

Strengthening implementation success using large-scale consensus decision-making - A new approach to creating medical practice guidelines.

A study involving over 2000 stoma care nurses in the development of best practice guidelines for the assessment of peristomal body profiles, patient engagement and patient follow-up was conducted in 2018. The study was designed to develop guidelines for stoma care treatment and product selection and to decrease the evidence to implementation gap. The project built on research evidence from a literature review of 77 articles. The results of the literature review were then used to inform a series of Delphi surveys sent out to stoma care nurses through Association and industry list-serves in 11 languages. The Delphi surveys were followed by a face2face professionally facilitated discussions among nurse-research experts. The project concluded with a facilitated consensus dialogue among 960 stoma care nurses from 25 countries, resulting in an implementation plan to ensure the guidelines become a normal part of routine patient care. The study resulted in a set of medical practice guidelines for stoma care nurses, designed to improve patient outcomes and patient quality of life, that were accepted and adopted into routine medical practice across 25 countries. This article describes the study and how the process used, coined the 'Modified Delphi Process' by the process designer, led to faster implementation than is generally experienced in the medical community.

Creating consensus-based practice guidelines with 2000 nurses.

Medical professionals follow evidence-based practice guidelines to achieve effective patient outcomes. Traditionally, to develop guidelines, a small group of experts examine evidence then agree on a set of statements, which are then published in journals. However, more than 7000 primary care journal articles are published monthly. This study examined a different way of drawing up practice guidelines, which involved large numbers of nurses from different countries directly in developing then disseminating the guidelines to speed up acceptance and the implementation of best practice. The results were consensus-based best practice guidelines for the treatment of patients with ostomies, which have received a high level of acceptance and enthusiasm from practitioners in 27 countries.

International Consensus Results: Development of Practice Guidelines for Assessment of Peristomal Body and Stoma Profiles, Patient Engagement, and Patient Follow-up.

Evidence indicates that a common problem for the person with an ostomy is pouch leakage and the development of peristomal skin irritation, which can negatively affect quality of life. While it is clear that the pouching system seal leakage can cause profound problems for the person with an ostomy, little information is available on interventions that focus on leakage. To address this gap, an international group of ostomy nurse experts was convened to develop consensus-based practice guidelines to assist ostomy nurses in determining the best pouching system for the patient. The outcomes of these guidelines for the person with a stoma are to decrease leakage and increase security and confidence leading to an increased quality of life. A large-scale Modified Delphi Consensus-Building Process was used to identify key factors in assessing body and stoma profiles to determine the best pouching system. The resulting consensus provides practice guidelines on how to assess body and stoma profiles, engage and educate patients, and when to follow up with patients after hospital discharge or product change.

Evaluation of a new ostomy mouldable seal: an international product evaluation.

A new mouldable seal, Brava® Protective Seal, was evaluated by patients on aspects related to residue, durability, and preference. A total of 135 patients from four countries participated (Denmark, Germany, Japan and the USA) and the new product was compared to the patients' usual pouching systems. Less residue and easier skin cleansing was observed, which may benefit patient quality of life. The possible benefits of less residue for peristomal skin health need further investigation.