Should WOC Nurses Measure Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Intestinal Ostomy Surgery?

• DOI: 10.1097/won.0b013e3181a39347
• Publication Date: 2011-04-08T01:54:44Z
• Authors: Joyce Pittman; Kathryn Kozell; Mikel Gray
• Keywords: Stoma (medicine); Nursing Interventions Classification; Fecal Incontinence; Validity

BACKGROUND Ostomy surgery requires significant reconstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in uncontrolled passage fecal effluent from a stoma abdominal wall. Concerns about creation an ostomy often supersede all other concerns. Ostomy-related concerns include impaired body image; fear incontinence; odor; limitations affecting social, travel-related, and leisure activities; sexual function. Because affects multiple domains within construct health-related quality life (HRQOL), it is not surprising that frequent outcome measure ostomy-related research. OBJECTIVES We reviewed existing research order to identify influence intestinal on HRQOL. sought clinical evidence documenting nursing interventions HRQOL patients with ostomy. In addition, we systematically literature evaluate validity reliability condition-specific instruments for measuring this patient population. SEARCH STRATEGY completed integrative review using key terms "quality life" "ostomy" sufficient determine A systematic "nursing" was effect specific ostomies. Only randomized trials were included review. used their reliability. MEDLINE CINAHL databases address 3 aims Evidence-Based Report Card. Searches limited studies published between 1980 January 2009. Hand searches ancestry articles additional studies. RESULTS An revealed conclude impairs Multiple factors, including underlying reason ostomy, presence severity complications, comorbid conditions, function, age, ability pay supplies magnitude effect. tends be most severely during immediate postoperative period. It usually improves dramatically by third month, continues improve more gradually over first year. 2 demonstrating at least persons separate identified 4 setting. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE There research-based exerts clinically relevant impact HRQOL, can ameliorate While small number exist, several have proved valid reliable setting, no instrument has yet been adapted routine