Factors Contributing to Delayed Discharge Related to Stoma Education in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis

Background Stoma formation often delays discharge after colorectal surgery, heightening the risk of hospital‐acquired infections, financial burdens, and reduced hospital capacity. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to mitigate these issues by emphasizing early stoma management education; however, specific causes for delayed discharge related to stoma education remain underexplored. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing colorectal resection with stoma formation at a single tertiary institution between 2019 and 2023 was conducted. The primary objective was to identify factors contributing to delayed discharge related to stoma formation and education. A secondary objective was to assess the financial impact of these delays. Results Among 159 patients who underwent colorectal resection with stoma formation, 31 patients experienced discharge delays with a mean of 2.8 days (95% CI: 1.4–4.2 days). The primary reason for the delay was the lack of ostomy teaching availability on weekends in 21 patients (64.5%), followed by patient‐related challenges in three patients (9.6%), suboptimal stoma positioning in two cases, and unavailability of stoma appliances in two cases. The delays incurred an estimated additional cost of $406 224 for 31 patients over 5 years. Conclusion The unavailability of stoma education on weekends is the primary contributor to delayed discharge; underscoring the need for improved access to educational resources to facilitate timely discharge.