Date of Award

Fall 2008

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Nursing

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Susan J Fetzer

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if preoperative stoma site marking by a Wound, Ostomy, Continence (WOC) nurse affects patient quality of life. This study used a descriptive design with a convenience sample of 25 ostomy patients. Sixty-three surveys were mailed to study participants and the response rate was 40%.

Ten subjects (40%) had their stoma site marked by a WOC nurse preoperatively and fifteen subjects did not. Eleven participants reported that their ostomy was permanent (44%), while fourteen of the participants (56%) state they had a temporary stoma. Thirteen of the subjects had elective ostomy surgery (52%) and twelve (48%) had an ostomy created under emergent conditions.

Overall quality of life scores did not differ between the marked and unmarked subjects. However, subjects who did not have their stoma site marked preoperatively had greater problems with pouch leakage (p=.0055) than those who were marked preoperatively.

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