title: Traditional versus telenursing outpatient management of patients with cancer with new ostomies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the impact of telenursing on patients discharged with ostomies resulting from cancer treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental design with surveys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Large tertiary care center in the southwestern United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  28 patients with cancer in two groups: traditional home health and home health plus telenursing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recorded the number of home health and telenursing contacts, dates when ostomy self-care needs were met, supplies used, and distance traveled. Patients completed a satisfaction survey and Maklebusts Ostomy Adjustment Scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  Type of care, costs, patient satisfaction, ostomy adjustment, and time to achieve ostomy self-care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Telenursing patients indicated higher satisfaction. The home health group averaged one more home health visit per patient (telenursing mean= three visits). Overall costs for both types of visits were about equal. The home health group used an average of four more pouches per patient, with increased cost of 52 dollars per patient. Telenursing patients believed that nurses had increased understanding of their problems, and they were more comfortable with what nurses told them about ostomy. Telenursing participants believed that telenursing made care more accessible; they preferred telemedicine rather than waiting for face-to-face visits but still believed that face-to-face visits were best.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combining traditional home health and telenursing is feasible for supporting discharged patients with new ostomies and enhances traditional home health, resulting in increased satisfaction overall.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oncology nurses should develop telenursing programs that include patient and family education regarding oncology issues.
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center, Tucson, AZ, USA. sbohnenkamp@umcaz.edu
authors.forename: Susan Kay
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bohnenkamp
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krupinski
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blackett
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003625:Data Collection; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D009739:Nursing Services / Q000191:economics; D010030:Ostomy / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012648:Self Care; D013689:Telephone