International journal of colorectal disease
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Int J Colorectal Dis · Jan 2012
Focused preoperative patient stoma education, prior to ileostomy formation after anterior resection, contributes to a reduction in delayed discharge within the enhanced recovery programme.
Stoma formation is a well-known cause for delayed discharge following colorectal surgery. This has been addressed by the enhanced recovery programme (ERP) preoperatively through stoma counselling sessions. These aim to promote independent stoma management post-operatively, thus expediting hospital discharge. We compared the numbers of patients with prolonged hospital stay secondary to delayed independent stoma management prior to and following the introduction of an enhanced recovery programme with preoperative stoma education. ⋯ Delayed discharge secondary to independent stoma management can be significantly reduced with preoperative stoma management teaching as part of an enhanced recovery programme.