Implementation of an Evidenced-Based Content Validated Standardized Ostomy Algorithm Tool in Home Care

Outside of ostomy specialty nursing, most clinicians find caring for a patient with an ostomy to be a complicated and challenging endeavor.  The average nurse has limited experience with ostomy management, and finds pouching an ostomy, or choosing an appropriate pouching product to be frustrating and confusing. While algorithms and pathways for ostomy care can be found in acute and long term care facilities, in home health care, resources to support ostomy care at home are difficult to find. As a large Home Health Care Company with 10,000 plus caregivers that manage thousands of ostomy patients each year, our goal was to have a standardized approach to ostomy education and management to support nurses in early identification of stomal and peri-stomal complications, pouching problems, and provide standardized solutions for managing ostomy care in general while improving utilization of formulary products. With the implementation of the Ostomy Algorithm Tool, nursing knowledge and confidence improved, utilization of resources increased, pouching practices improved, and cost reduced as the algorithm drove formulary compliance and appropriate product usage.