The Japanese Journal of Clinical Dialysis Vol.18 No.12(2-6)

Theme Gastrointestinal Complications in Dialysis Patients
Title Ostomy care in dialysis patients
Publish Date 2002/11
Author Chitose Watanabe Department of Nursing, St. Luke's International Hospital
[ Summary ] Having an enterostomy obliges patients to accustom themselves to a new toilet habit. In the case of patients on dialysis who undergo enterostomy, they will be burdened with toilet control in addition to other self-management in their daily lives which they always have as dialysis patients.
It is required for those engaged in providing medical care to assist such patients in order to prevent their quality of life from deteriorating further by establishing stoma care as early as possible while minimizing their sense of burden. To achieve this, one has to provide them with sufficient care before the operation, in cluding the stoma site marking and patch test, and it is essential, through such care, to give them support and coordination regarding the mental aspect. The main care following the operation includes stoma observation, selection of stoma control methods, taking care of skin damage in the surrounding area of the stoma and mental support as well as guidance in preparation for discharge from hospital. Furthermore, long-term continuous follow-up will be needed for the patient to fully accept his/her stoma and to become capable of in dependently conducting self-care. It is also important to include dialysis patients with stoma in outpatient clinic, and to make continuous evaluation of the skin condition in the surrouding area of the stoma as well as the status of their self-care.
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