Ileo-Alert

ILEO-ALERT
Abstract:

This paper demonstrates a simple yet functional nursing innovation that created a major change in the prescribing, dispensing and administering of medications within a healthcare network for people with an ileostomy. It also raised the awareness of nutritional and hydration requirements within this cohort.

Oral medications that are slow-release, sustained-release or enteric-coated are designed to break down within the intestine rather than the stomach.  This is for two reasons:  i: prevention of acid and pepsin in the stomach from contaminating the drug and ii: avoiding gastric upset as a result of the drug breaking down in the stomach. However, if a person has an ileostomy, these types of oral medications may be passed out through the ileostomy, without the desired therapeutic effect.

Nutritionally, people with an ileostomy require a diet that will not cause a food bolus, a diarrhoea-type output or irritation, as well as maintaining adequate salt and fluid intake.

Whilst maintaining confidentiality and not advocating that the patient has an ileostomy, and alerting medical staff; pharmacists and nurses of these patients’ special needs, might have been perceived as a complex challenge.  As Clinical Nurse Consultant in Stomal Therapy I welcomed this as an opportunity and set about to implement this change. The term ILEO-ALERT was created and a major change was both experienced and welcomed within my healthcare network.

Now all of the patients in this network, with an ileostomy, enjoy the full therapeutic benefits of their oral medications and are given a diet and fluid regime more conducive to their condition.