Michael Riemer, B.S., Hollister Incorporated, Data Analyst, 2000 Hollister Drive, Libertyville, IL 60048-3871 and Thomas Nichols, M.S., MBA, Hollister Incorporated, Senior Principal Clinical Research Statistician, 2000 Hollister Drive, Libertyville, IL 60048-3871.
PURPOSE: This study
investigates the association of wound, ostomy and continence nurse care (WOCN)
provided to people undergoing ostomy surgery with their adaptation to life with
a stoma (Adaptation) and perceptions of the effect a stoma has on their
life (Life Effect). METHODOLOGY: The retrospective study uses a subset
of data from the 125-question Ostomy Comprehensive Health and Life Assessment
survey (n = 545). Data taken from the ongoing, nationally distributed
survey include ostomates with single colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy stomas
less than three years post-operative at time of survey. The ostomates reported
WOCN care at some time before or after surgery. Life Effect and Adaptation are
derived from self-assessments of pre- and post-operative health. WOCN is
classified as post-operative, or pre- and post-operative. Data
were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, chi-square tests and Mantel-Haenszel
statistics. RESULTS: No association was found between ostomate adaptation and
pre- and post-operative nursing care. However, the perception of the effect of
the stoma on the ostomate's life (Life Effect) was found to have a positive
association with increased WOCN care (p = .01). Moreover, evidence of this
positive association remained after the effects of type of stoma (p =
.02), diagnosis leading to surgery (p < .01) and age at surgery (p
< .01) were considered. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that WOCN care both
before and after surgery have a beneficial effect for ostomates compared to
care after surgery only. Results suggest that, independently of diagnosis,
type of stoma, or ostomate's age at surgery, increased WOCN care positively
affects attitudes regarding the life impact of having a stoma. DISCLOSURE: Research
funding from Hollister Incorporated is gratefully acknowledged.
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