Enhanced recovery after surgery: benefits for the stoma care patient

Enhanced recovery can be seen as the use of evidence and research that when used for patients undergoing stoma-forming surgery (and other surgery) leads to a better recovery (Lassen et al, 2009; Ahmed et al, 2010). Moving patients towards adopting an opinion that 'up and mobile' immediately after surgery is the pathway to success, and is an essential element in implementing enhanced recovery after surgery. It can lead to several clinical benefits, including fewer complications (e.g. infection) and a shorter length of time in hospital (Faiz et al, 2008). While having a shorter length of stay is positive, it does result in less time being available to the ostomate (person with a stoma) to become proficient with their stoma care. Changes need to be made to nursing services to encompass this new challenge; for example, the use of preoperative training tools. These changes can result in satisfied ostomates (Bryan and Dukes, 2010) who have fewer post-discharge problems with their stoma. This article outlines the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery and its benefits for patients with a stoma.