Case Study Exploration of Stoma Characteristics and Management

Problem Statement:  Pediatric and neonatal stomas pose many challenges to staff, parents and CWOCN's.  Small abdomens, the inability to site mark in emergent situations, lack of routine site marking in infants, and a variety of stoma shapes and sizes lead to a range of pouching wear times, peristomal complications, and costs to manage.

Clinical Approach:  The case studies described stoma characteristics, the frequency of pouch changes, occurrence of peristomal breakdown, involvement of the CWOCN, parental involvement, and approximate supply costs associated with each stoma.

Outcomes:  The evaluation of the case studies will assist to determine both positive and negative stoma characteristics to inform providers prior to insertion, so we can partner to create a reliable pouching system, prevent peristomal breakdown and decrease costs associated with ostomy care in the pediatric and neonatal populations.

Conclusion: This exploratory analysis informs the development of an interprofessional study of positive and negative stoma characteristics using a larger sample, to describe relationships of readiness for discharge, parental bonding, and length of stay.