Measuring system impact by Improving the Ostomy patient experience from a product standardization project in 13-Hospital Integrated Delivery Network in the Midwest

Purpose: To measure the system impact on patient experience by improving the Ostomy products offered. We aimed to make things easier for staff, reduce complications with patients, and see if this process of standardization could impact overall patient satisfaction scores. The system also identified multiple manufacturers of ostomy products and expressed a desire to eliminate keeping so many items in the system. Supply cost savings to the system was also a goal of the standardization project.  

Methods: A wound/ostomy fair was held with multiple manufacturers to present to the committee members. Three companies were chosen for the ostomy trials at three of the hospitals. Another consideration for improvement was the transition of care from patient to home. Collaboration between the Acute and Home Care WOCN’s was initiated to discuss improvement.

Results: One manufacturer was chosen for the standardized formulary. Items in the system went from 76 down to 32, although the core formulary for all floors/staff nurses is only 8 items.  Pre-op teaching kits were standardized to the American College of Surgeons Home skills kit and a folder from the hospital system. In prior research, patients who did not use the kits were twice as likely to visit the ER in the 2 weeks after their operation.¹ Further, the contract provided the system cost savings of 17%.

Conclusion:

Patient experience scores were raised, specifically for Patients undergoing Ostomy surgery, from 5th percentile in 2014 to the almost the 30^th in 2015.