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Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study.
Subjects and setting: A convenience sample of staff nurses (n=578, including 510 RN’s and 63 LPN’s) was obtained from an academic medical center, a Veteran’s Administration Center, and a not-for-profit hospital.
Methods: Links to a 17-question electronic survey were distributed via email. The survey included questions regarding demographics, availability of an ostomy nurse for consultation and referral, ostomy care training in school, and frequency of care of ostomy patients. There were 22 Agree-Disagree statements using a six-point Likert Scale (1=Strongly Disagree, 6=Strongly Agree)related to confidence in ostomy care and perceived barriers. Data were analyzed using ANOVA or linear regression.
Results: Higher confidence in ostomy care knowledge[k] and skills[s] was associated with being an LPN (p<0.0001[k], p=0.003[s]), years of nursing experience (p=0.01[k], p=0.009[s]), having ostomy training (p=0.002[k], p=0.02[s]), frequency of providing ostomy care(p<0.0001 for each), and knowing how to obtain and use ostomy supplies (p<0.0001 for each). Highest confidence was expressed regarding emptying a pouch (Mean 5.32, SD 0.919), lowest was regarding knowledge of nutrition for ostomates (Mean 3.96, SD 1.217). 18.1% of respondents didn’t know that there was a certified ostomy nurse at their institution.
Conclusion: Confidence of staff nurses in delivering ostomy care was higher with training and experience. Opportunities for continuing education may increase staff nurse confidence in providing ostomy care. The greatest barrier was lack of awareness of the presence of an ostomy nurse as a resource in caring for patients.