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Informational/Educational Report
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The right choice in ostomy pouch selection Judy Plemmons, RN, BSN, CWOCN, CDE, Lewis Gale Medical Center and Gentiva, Roanoke, VA Nurses do not always have access to an expert to assist them with ostomy appliance selection. Many times nurses' resort to frequent appliance changes with no endpoint in sight of when the patient can become independent. With the wide array of appliances available, there are appliances that can aid the patient in overcoming most barriers. The purpose of this presentation is to provide ways that proper appliance selection can improve wear time, maintain skin integrity and foster patient and family independence The author explored the various appliance options and products now available. Not everyone has the textbook stoma and few look like the model in the videos provided by the manufactures. A guide to assist nurses with selections of appliances that fit their stoma and abdominal contour was developed. Common obstacles to independence were matched to products and accessories that can change a hopeless situation into an ÒI canÓ attitude Not one appliance fits all stomas. An improperly fitting appliance can cause the pain of skin breakdown and rob one of any quality of life. Since lack of continence is one reason families may choose to seek a higher level of care for their loved one, providing the correct appliance can allow one to achieve an optimal level of functioning at home Nurses in the home care field can learn that their selection of appliance can make their teaching towards independence successful. Nurses can request samples of appliances that correspond with their patients' needs Nurses in the extended care setting can personalize the patient's appliance by assessing what skill is difficult for the patient to perform. There are as many pouching options today as there are obstacles and proper product selection can overcome barriers. |
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