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Role of the enterostomal therapy nurse in ostomy patient rehabilitation
Author(s) -
Doughty Dorothy
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19920901)70:3+<1390::aid-cncr2820701529>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - medicine , fecal incontinence , stoma (medicine) , urinary incontinence , rehabilitation , nursing , urinary system , wound care , intensive care medicine , general surgery , physical therapy , surgery
Enterostomal therapy (ET) nurses specialize in the management of patients with urinary and fecal diversions, draining wounds and fistulas, fecal and urinary incontinence, and chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers and vascular ulcers. ET nurses have much to offer in the management of patients with cancer. Such nurses play a major role in the rehabilitation of patients undergoing fecal or urinary diversions. Preoperative services include: counseling regarding planned surgical procedure, the impact of an ostomy on the patient's life, and the basics of ostomy management: sexual counseling; and stoma site selection. Postoperatively, the ET nurse instructs the patient and family in ostomy care, dietary and fluid alterations, and ways to incorporate ostomy management into the patient's life. The ET nurse also provides long‐term follow‐up care in outpatient settings: such care includes ongoing counseling, education, and surveillance for complications requiring medical intervention. ET nurses can recommend appropriate measures to prevent and manage skin breakdown that is related to immobility, friable skin, incontinence, and/or radiation therapy. They also can assist in correcting or containing fecal or urinary incontinence and in cost‐effective management of draining wounds and fistulas.