Enhancing Patient Outcomes Through Proactive Stoma Care

Highlighting the Importance of Proactive Stoma Care

Caroline Rudoni, our very own Patient and Clinical Services Director, has recently had an article published in the British Journal of Nursing (BJN). Titled Enhancing Patient Outcomes Through Proactive Stoma Care, the article explores NHS programmes, initiatives and frameworks with the aim of enhancing patient outcomes while achieving cost efficiency. Here is a summary of what the article covers:

Smarter Spending with Value-Based Procurement

Instead of just focusing on buying cheaper products, this approach looks at the big picture—how care is provided overall. The goal is to spend wisely to improve both the quality of care and patient outcomes in the long run.

Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT)

This NHS programme aims to make healthcare better by reducing inconsistencies in how care is delivered. It uses data and proven methods to ensure patients get the best outcomes while keeping costs down.

Addressing Stoma-Related Challenges

Stoma-related issues like skin damage and leaks can not only be tough on patients but also costly for the NHS. The article suggests a smarter, preventative approach that includes:

• Choosing the right products early to avoid problems later.
• Focusing on prevention instead of fixing issues after they happen.

A Real-Life Example of Success

The article shares the story of a patient who had severe skin problems and frequent leaks, needing to change their stoma pouch two to three times a day. By switching to the Aura Plus Soft Convex pouch, the patient saw dramatic improvements. They only needed to change their pouch once a day, and their skin healed significantly.

This example shows how using the right products can:

• Help patients feel better and live more confidently.
• Save money by avoiding waste and reducing the need for extra medical help.
• Align with NHS goals like Value-Based Procurement and GIRFT.

Products which include Manuka honey, like Aura Plus, HyperSeal and HydroFrame, are also helping to prevent issues like skin irritation and reduce waste. These innovations demonstrate how simple changes can make a big difference for patients and healthcare systems alike.