I am responding both as an IPC Specialist Nurse and a patient with a stoma. I have a urostomy but last year I also had an ileostomy which has now been reversed. When in hospital last year what was apparent was that nurses on general wards don’t have enough knowledge around stoma care and very reliant on patients caring for them whilst an in patient.
When taught by stoma nurses you are always taught the importance of hand hygiene before and after changing/emptying stoma bags so I think that general education for ward staff on stoma care, the variety of stoma care products and the does and don’ts of stoma care would be helpful.

Karen Wood
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