Ostomy Patient Care Program

Abstract

The ostomate is often a forgotten patient with regards to proper psychological and emotional preparation for his surgery and proper continuing care of his ostomy. The pharmacist can play an important role in aiding the ostomy patient, especially in providing him adequate appliances and ostomy-care information. The development and implementation of the ostomy program of the N. C. Memorial Hospital Pharmacy is presented in detail. A brief explanation of why ostomy surgery is necessary, of the various types of ostomies and of the various appliances utilized is also presented.

The following services of the program are described:

Use of a patient profile card in order to have on record the patient's specific appliance and replacement parts;

Fitting the new ostomate with the proper appliance and instructing him on its proper use;

Interviewing patient on return clinic visits to determine if the patient is having ostomy-related problems or needs any replacement parts for his appliance;

Providing patient's appliance needs through the mail or through communication with the patient's local community or hospital pharmacist, and

Conducting a presurgical consultation with the future ostomate to briefly explain appliances and how their use will affect his life, plus answer questions which may be making him apprehensive.