Managing Complex Ostomies with Fistula Wound Manager

Patients with complex ostomies can be a challenge for the WOC (wound ostomy continence) nurse after surgery at this Cancer Center. These issues can often negatively impact patients both physically and psychologically. As patients experience frequent leakage from ostomy output, these complications can be very irritating to the skin. To remedy this problem the unit-based WOC nurse has been using fistula wound manager devices as alternative equipment for complex ostomies.

 Patients with complex fecal ostomies who experience skin complications associated with leakage from ostomy output often stem from intricate anatomical contours or poor surgical techniques. Consequently, these issues are often upsetting to the patients and demand trial and error to explore the best option. Many times, these options have required additional hospital stay to ensure a reasonable appliance wear time. Through a series three case studies, the WOC nurse has successfully manage these complex fecal ostomies using fistula wound managers. These equipments have been reduced nursing time as well as patient’s length of stay in comparison to standard equipments.

Using fistula wound managers for the management of complex fecal ostomies offer an optimal option for the WOC nurse. The cost of using Fistula wound managers outweigh the difference in the hospital length of stay and offset this alternate equipment price.