The Field of Ostomy Nursing
Ostomy nursing is a highly specialized nursing field. Ostomy nurses are nurses that take care of patients that with ostomies. They are in charge of maintaining the integrity of the wound and informing the patient about his/her responsibilities. Very few nurses specialize in ostomy nursing, but almost every nurse will encounter patients with ostomies during his/her nursing career.
What is an Ostomy?
Blackwell’s Dictionary of Nursing defines Ostomy as:
‘An informal term referring to a surgical procedure that involves making an artificial opening between two organs or between the organ and the opening of the body’
The most common ostomies occur between the abdominal cavity and the skin. Examples of these are Colostomy, Ileostomy and Jejunostomy. Ostomies also occur between the bladder and the skin. These ostomies are called Urostomies.
Responsibilities of an Ostomy Nurse
The basic goal of an ostomy nurse is to maintain the integrity of the ostomy and of the tissue surrounding the wound. This is done through constant cleaning and emptying out of ostomy drainage/collection bags. Below are key reminders for nurses who performing ostomy care:
- 24-hour Hemorrhage Watch – An ostomy nurse should observe a patient’s ostomy for signs of hemorrhaging with 24 hours after surgery. Hemorrhaging could present as blood soaked dressings and as blood in the collection bag.
- Constant Vital Signs Check – The ostomy nurse should constantly check the patients vitals. Any change could indicate septic shock or infection.
- Proper Application of Appliance – the proper application of an ostomy appliance is necessary in order to make sure that the ostomy functions properly. This would also include the proper application of barrier liquids or gels that help protect the skin from gastric juices.
Patient teaching is also the role of the ostomy nurse. Most ostomy patients have to go home and care for their ostomies at home. It is therefore the nurse’s role to teach the patient on how to care for the wound properly. The patient must also be taught to report any abnormalities immediately.
Work Opportunities for Ostomy Nurses
The demand for specialty nurses abroad is high. Ostomy nursing is usually paired with wound nursing and burn nursing. Nurses who choose to specialize in ostomy nursing must be backed by solid contact hours with patients that have ostomies. In the US, ostomy nurses have the choice of becoming Wound Care Certified Nurses. Wound Care Nursing Associations in the US are handling the certification process.
Published at: 08/10/2015
