Innovative technology for colostomy irrigation: assessing the impact on patients.
OBJECTIVE
The main purpose of the trial was to evaluate the opinions expressed by a sample of subjects with permanent colostomy, as a result of the use of a new device designed for the execution of transtomal intestinal irrigation; their feedback was analyzed in relation to the concept of Quality of Life.


METHODS
The device was tested on a sample of 14 colostomized patients (10 men and 4 women, aged between 42 and 77 years) who were used to perform intestinal irrigation procedures independently and routinely, with standard technique. After testing the new device, the patients included in the study were asked to fill out a questionnaire built ad hoc for their situation.


RESULTS
The analysis of the data collected led to the following conclusions: 93% of the patients described the new irrigation method as simpler than the standard procedure; the majority of the patients assessed bowel emptying as good; 64% of patients reported excellent comfort experienced during the procedure; the presence of a regulator to adjust the instillation speed of water into the intestinal lumen was considered useful to control the flow of the incoming fluid


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the device guaranteed: psychological tranquility, minimum manual intervention, full achievement of the expected results and decrease in the issues normally encountered with the standard irrigation method. The practical features of the new device ensure easy and straightforward carrying out of the procedure; this ease of use affects the stomized patient's everyday life by reducing the time of procedure completion, thus positively influencing the perception of the patients' Quality of Life.
Nursing and Technical Service, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy - danila.maculotti@poliambulanza.it.
S
S
Pace
F
F
Manuini
D
D
Maculotti
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003125:Colostomy / Q000451:nursing*; D003672:Defecation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D054047:Surgical Stomas; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing*; D016896:Treatment Outcome