Developing A Patient Assessment Guideline for Convexity

Introduction: Findings from an extensive literature review reveal insufficient evidence to support decisions made by clinicians for convexity use. Recommendations from a panel of international nurses were used to develop evidence to fill in gaps regarding the use of convexity. One identified gap was the development of evidence-based patient assessment guidelines for using convexity. Current patient assessment guidelines for convexity do not exist.

Aims:  1) To develop a simple guide for assessing a patient’s need for convexity. 2) To build evidence that supports a clinician’s choice in choosing either a flat or convex pouching systems to manage patients.

Method: An international group of experienced stoma care nurses reviewed the evidence regarding convexity and applied their collective experiences to develop a simple guide for patient assessment. A draft guide was developed in spread sheet format and piloted in several countries for accuracy and ease of use. Based on this review a further iteration was developed.

Result: A simple guide was developed that both experienced and novice stoma care nurses, as well as generalist nurses, could easily use to assess a patient’s need for convexity. This guide also captures initial and subsequent patient review data and product options, and can be used as a platform for developing stronger evidence in ostomy care.

Conclusion: Evidence in ostomy care is evolving and may soon become mandatory. With the wide array of convexity options available to clinicians today, more evidence and support is needed. This new guide is one device that can be used simply to start gathering and building evidence in ostomy care.