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. Research shows no two hospitals appear to offer the same level and quality of stoma care.

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. Next, a series of consensus meetings was 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. The final step was to implement the requirements into the process of stoma care.

Outcome

Meanwhile, a majority of stoma therapist hands over a copy of criteria to patients hospitalized for stoma surgery. Furthermore, a few large health insurance companies have made the stoma patients requirements of good stoma care part of the negotiations with Dutch hospitals. Surgeons and gastroenterologists have ranged themselves on the side of the stoma patients criteria. Now, a general stoma care standard will be developed, in which medical professions, stoma care nurses and stoma patients will closely work together.