Specialistic nursing care for patients with intestinal stoma considered in the light of the research

Background: In Poland every year approximately 4500 intestinal stomas are created. Proper preparation of a patient for the operative procedure of creating the stoma includes physical as well as mental preparation. The most important elements are: the optimal choice of location for the stoma, use of proper surgical techniques, proper stoma creation and education of a patient about complying with the rules concerning caring for a stoma and personal hygiene.
Aim of the study: The level of preparation for the operative procedure, perioperative care and preparation of patients with an intestinal stoma for self-care, carried out by nursing staff in two institutions – a specialist coloproctology clinic and a general surgery ward – was assessed.
Material and method: The research was carried out in 2006 using a diagnostic survey method in a group 54 nurses in two institutions – a specialist coloproctology clinic (30 persons) and a general surgery ward (24 persons) in the province of Kujawsko-Pomorskie. The research was carried out using a diagnostic survey method. An original questionnaire assessing the level of nursing staff’s preparation for working with patients with a stoma was used as a research tool.
Results: It was statistically found that the difference in ability to prepare a patient for the operative procedure of creating a stoma (p=0.007840), quality of care (p<0001) as well as ability to prepare a patient with a stoma for self-care (p=0.000017) is significant depending on the place of work (specialist coloproctology clinic or general surgery ward).
Conclusions: In postgraduate nursing education one should pay greater attention to specialist preparation in the area of care for patients with a stoma.