Managing quality of life in the older person with a stoma.
Undergoing surgery and having the formation of a stoma may be required for a number of reasons and how a patient accepts their new body image and changes to their lifestyle can be greatly determined by the support and care they receive from their stoma nurse and other health professionals involved in their recovery after stoma formation. Preparing a patient pre-operatively and taking time to listen to their individual needs will enhance their perception of living with a stoma and accepting their stoma, thus not negatively impacting on what they perceive to be their quality of life. Acknowledging the quality of life of an individual and taking measures to maintain a person's quality of life at an early stage within the surgical pathway will have a positive impact on a patient's recovery from surgery and ability to cope with the daily routine involved when living with a stoma. Nurses need to understand what their patient perceives as a good quality of life and how to alter any negative factors that may inhibit a patient's ability to care for and accept their stoma.
St Mark's Hospital, Harrow. Rebecca.slater@nwlh.nhs.uk
Rebecca C
RC
Slater
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010030:Ostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D054047:Surgical Stomas; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom