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Improving Patient Outcomes by Increasing Consistency of Ostomy Care
Kathleen A. Marescalco RN, CWS
United Hospital:Kenosha , Wisconsin
Problem: Due to increasing patient acuity and advances in technology, nurses need to be experts in many fields. Ostomy care is no exception. Ill fitting skin barriers can lead to many skin complications and discomfort for the hospitalized patient. Patients’ expect all staff nurses to be able to change their ostomy appliance with the same expertise as with any other procedure.
Solution: In our facility, education of the nursing staff utilizing the principles of adult learning 1 was undertaken with the goal of decreasing the number of hospital acquired peristomal skin complications. One of the first steps was to standardize our ostomy product selection to a moldable skin barrier*, rather than having multiple cut to fit styles and sizes available. Nursing staff found cutting a skin barrier to just the right size to be very difficult. The education program that was implemented included viewing a short video and a hands-on demonstration of product application utilizing a stoma model. Utilizing advanced technology and making learning experiences pertinent to the nurses’ individual needs improved patient care outcomes.1
Results: Every nurse at our hospital, including first year nursing students, is now able to effectively apply an ostomy skin barrier with ease. Our incidence of hospital acquired peri-stomal skin breakdown is now zero.
Conclusion: Educational programs for nurses that combine the principles of adult education with current technology and individual need, improve patient outcomes.
1. O’Shea HS. Clinical preceptorships: strategies to enhance teaching and learning. JWOCN. 1999; 21 (3); 98-105.
*ConvaTec Moldable TechnologyÔ skin barriers
ConvaTec Moldable Technology is a trademark of ConvaTec Inc
Kathleen A. Marescalco RN, CWS
United Hospital:
Problem: Due to increasing patient acuity and advances in technology, nurses need to be experts in many fields. Ostomy care is no exception. Ill fitting skin barriers can lead to many skin complications and discomfort for the hospitalized patient. Patients’ expect all staff nurses to be able to change their ostomy appliance with the same expertise as with any other procedure.
Solution: In our facility, education of the nursing staff utilizing the principles of adult learning 1 was undertaken with the goal of decreasing the number of hospital acquired peristomal skin complications. One of the first steps was to standardize our ostomy product selection to a moldable skin barrier*, rather than having multiple cut to fit styles and sizes available. Nursing staff found cutting a skin barrier to just the right size to be very difficult. The education program that was implemented included viewing a short video and a hands-on demonstration of product application utilizing a stoma model. Utilizing advanced technology and making learning experiences pertinent to the nurses’ individual needs improved patient care outcomes.1
Results: Every nurse at our hospital, including first year nursing students, is now able to effectively apply an ostomy skin barrier with ease. Our incidence of hospital acquired peri-stomal skin breakdown is now zero.
Conclusion: Educational programs for nurses that combine the principles of adult education with current technology and individual need, improve patient outcomes.
1. O’Shea HS. Clinical preceptorships: strategies to enhance teaching and learning. JWOCN. 1999; 21 (3); 98-105.
*ConvaTec Moldable TechnologyÔ skin barriers
ConvaTec Moldable Technology is a trademark of ConvaTec Inc