An Evaluation of a Ceramide Infused Ostomy Skin Barrier on patients with fecal and urinary stomas in an Acute Care Hospital

Clinical Problem: Nurses Specialized in Wound Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) recognize the importance of using ostomy products that will promote peristomal skin health. Manufacturers continue to introduce new and innovative products in order to meet this demand. An important role of the NSWOC is to determine the effectiveness of pouching systems through product evaluations and clinical evidence. A product evaluation of a ceramide infused skin barrier was undertaken on post-operative patients to evaluate nursing feedback and various product attributes.

Management: Approximately 350-400 ostomy-related surgical procedures are performed yearly at a large university affiliated teaching hospital in central Canada that specializes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Approximately 70% of surgeries result in an ileostomy, with the remaining stomas being jejunostomies, colostomies and urostomies. Products are selected with patient and NSWOC input.

Clinical Approach: An evaluation was conducted on 20 hospitalized patients who had undergone a fecal or urinary stoma surgery. Nurses completed a one-page evaluation with a 5-point Likert-type scale evaluating skin barriers, pouches, and if applicable, barrier rings. Education for nurses was completed beforehand.

Outcomes: Results indicated that the following product attributes were rated as “very good” or “good”: Ability of pouching system to adhere (96%); ease product removal (98%); general ease of use (96%) and ease of pouch closure (88%).

Conclusion: This case series indicates the use of a ceramide infused skin barrier in the overall plan of care led to positive nursing feedback and patient outcomes. Decisions to bring in ostomy products should be based on data that includes patient evaluations and clinical evidence. As a result the clinician will be in a key position to positively impact patient satisfaction and outcomes and be more informed regarding new ostomy products. These results represent individual nurse/patient experiences and are not intended to suggest all nurses/patients will obtain the same results.