Topic The Dutch patient Ostomy Association has developed a set of criteria on the quality of stoma care before, during and after hospital admission.

Purpose The main purpose is to keep up the same level of quality of stoma care in the near future and to further improve quality if possible.

Objective The availability of a list of requirements of good stoma care from patients perspective meet three objectives: (1) To provide (future) stoma patients with a tool to put the stoma services to the test. (2) To offer a common frame of reference for all health care professionals and services involved in stoma care. (3) To influence health care insurance companies purchasing hospital care.

Process First, a literature search was carried out and the experiences and needs of a large group (n=981) of stoma patients were investigated and published (Quality of stoma care and quality of life after stoma surgery, 2004, ISBN 90-73103-12-6). Next, a series of consensus meetings were organised in which stoma patients and stoma health care professionals were involved. This process led to a number of 60 well-defined criteria on stoma care published in april 2006 (Patients perspective on quality of stoma care, 2006, ISBN 90-73101-16-9).

Outcome Meanwhile, a majority of stoma therapist hands over a copy of criteria to patients hospitalized for stoma surgery. Furthermore, two large health insurance companies have made the stoma patients requirements of good stoma care part of the negotiations with 10 Dutch hospitals. A strong influence of stoma patients on the delivery of care, is in not only in the interest of both the patients themselves, but to interest of the profession of stoma care nurses as well. After all, both parties strive for keeping up adequate stoma care now and in the near future.