Results of an audit of the Peristomal Body Profile Assessment Tool

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.

Short- and long-term direct and indirect costs of illness after ostomy creation - a Swedish nationwide registry study

BACKGROUND

Despite advance in care of people with an ostomy, related complications remain prevalent. The objective of this study was to examine short- and long-term healthcare resource utilization and associated costs after ostomy creation.

METHODS

This observational study was based on retrospectively collected data from national and regional Swedish registries. The population consisted of people living in Sweden, who had an ostomy created. The earliest index date was 1 January 2006, and people were followed for ten years, until death, reversal of temporary ostomy, termination of purchases of ostomy products, or end of study, which was 31 December 2019. Each person with an ostomy was matched with two controls from the general population based on age, gender, and region.

RESULTS

In total, 40,988 persons were included: 19,645 with colostomy, 16,408 with ileostomy, and 4,935 with urostomy. The underlying diseases for colostomy and ileostomy creations were primarily bowel cancer, 50.0% and 55.8% respectively, and additionally inflammatory bowel disease for 20.6% of ileostomies. The underlying cause for urostomy creation was mainly bladder cancer (85.0%). In the first year after ostomy creation (excl. index admission), the total mean healthcare cost was 329,200 SEK per person with colostomy, 330,800 SEK for ileostomy, and 254,100 SEK for urostomy (100 SEK was equivalent to 9.58 EUR). Although the annual mean healthcare cost decreased over time, it remained significantly elevated compared to controls, even after 10 years, with hospitalization being the main cost driver. The artificial opening was responsible for 19.3-22.8% of 30-day readmissions after ostomy creation and for 19.7-21.4% of hospitalizations during the entire study period. For the ileostomy group, dehydration was responsible for 13.0% of 30-day readmissions and 4.5% of hospitalization during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reported a high disease burden for persons with an ostomy. This had a substantial impact on the healthcare cost for at least ten years after ostomy creation. Working ability seemed to be negatively impacted, indicated by increased cost of sickness absence and early retirement. This calls for improved management and support of ostomy care for the benefit of the affected persons and for the cost of society.

Using peristomal body profile assessment to improve leakage-related quality of life for individuals with an ostomy

BACKGROUND

Improper fitting between peristomal body profile and ostomy product(s) is one of the main reasons for leakage among individuals with an ostomy.

AIM

To evaluate clinical usability of the Body Assessment Tool developed by Coloplast that is available free of charge. The aim was also to study how changing to product(s) that were best suited to an individual, guided by peristomal body profile, affected the number of leakages and individuals' quality of life.

METHODS

The study consisted of questionnaires administered before and after the study, which spanned 4-5 weeks. A total of 22 nurses and 68 individuals with an ostomy participated in four Nordic countries.

FINDINGS

Of the 22 nurses, 21 recommended use of the tool. A shift to best fitting ostomy product(s) resulted in a significant decrease in the number of leakages (from 5.9 to 1.8 per 7 days) and a substantial improvement in quality of life.

CONCLUSION

The findings support the use of the Body Assessment Tool in clinical practice and the results showed that optimally fitting ostomy product(s) reduced the number of leakages and increased individuals' quality of life.