PubMed2001
A stoma nurse provides information, counselling and care to patients with gastrointestinal and urological conditions such as a stoma, incontinence, fistulas or an ileoanal anastomosis with a pouch. The stoma nurse will provide the patient and his or her partner with pre-operative information, post-operative counselling, practical care and instruction as well as check-ups at the outpatients' clinic. Careful selection of the most suitable collection device is highly important. This stoma care has a positive effect on the quality of life of a patient with a stoma. The most common complication is peristomal dermatitis which, in combination with care problems, may lead to social restrictions. Providing the patient's physical and psychological health is not in danger, the stoma care nurse can treat or control these complications, thereby avoiding the need for further surgery.