Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether ostomy patients are receiving ostomy care pre- and postoperatively in accordance with the United Ostomy Associations of America Ostomy and Continent Diversion Patient Bill of Rights. Design Descriptive, quantitative study. Subjects and setting The sample comprised 325 participants with an ostomy living in the United States. All participants underwent ostomy surgery in the United States. Methods Participants were recruited through a purposive, nonprobability sampling method based on the presence of an ostomy and the ability to read and understand English. Data were collected between summer 2017 and fall 2018 from ostomy support groups (online and in-person support groups). Respondents completed a self-administered online questionnaire, which included closed-ended and open-ended questions. Results Forty percent (n = 127) of participants reported not being supervised changing their pouch before discharge. Forty-two percent (n = 137) reported receiving only hands-on instruction on how to care for their ostomy after surgery (no reading materials, nor video tutorial). Slightly more than half (52%; n = 170) reported not receiving support group information, and only 14% (n = 46) indicated participating in a discussion on intimacy concerns. Conclusions The study demonstrates that ostomy care at the hospital can improve. Receiving an ostomy is a life-changing operation, and the first line of support for ostomy patients is their provider. Future research should examine ostomy care from providers' perspectives and, prospectively, in order to test care measures on patient health outcomes.
