Stomal therapy nursing is the specialised care of individuals anticipating surgery which may result in the creation of a stoma, or who have an abdominal stoma for the diversion of stool or urine. A stoma is an artificially (surgically) created opening which connects a portion of the body cavity to the outside environment.

Stomal therapy may encompass the care of individuals with draining wounds, fistulae (an abnormal connection between two organs or vessels that normally do not connect), incontinence management problems and actual tissue trauma.

Clinical services provided:

• Preoperative teaching and stoma site selection
• Patient education including stoma care and appliance management
• Staff education
• Counselling for patients and families, pre and post surgery
• Clinical intervention, eg diagnosis and management of stoma problems
• Consultation and education in management of clients requiring negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)
• Telephone advisory service
• Regular outpatient review
• Long term rehabilitation 

Also See:

• Home Nursing and Support Service