Strategies to reduce treatment costs of peristomal skin complications.

Peristomal skin complications (PSCs) are common and troublesome and the consequences are substantial both for the patient and from a health-economic viewpoint. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that early detection and treatment of PSCs, combined with the use of a correctly fitted and appropriate pouching system, can reduce treatment costs-in the UK, it is estimated to save £28.1m annually. A model for cost estimation of PSCs and a real-life global data set of people with stomas are used for the calculations. A high priority should be given to ensuring resources are available to provide education, guidance and assistance to people with a stoma. This would support increased awareness of the first signs of PSCs and enable self-management at an early stage.

The ostomy skin tool: tracking peristomal skin changes.

The Ostomy Skin Tool is a standardized measuring instrument for assessing the extent and severity of peristomal skin change in terms of discolouration (D), erosion (E), and tissue overgrowth (T) (DET). The reliability and validity of this tool has been determined in a previous study. The purpose of this article is to highlight the study's most important findings, and to demonstrate the usefulness of the DET score by evaluating three examples of peristomal skin changes. Additionally, a simplified categorical severity scale (defining 'mild', 'moderate', and 'severe' conditions) is introduced that may improve clinical interpretation of the DET score. It is reasonable to conclude that the DET score may empower the ostomy care nurse with an evidence-based platform to make qualified decisions on evaluation and treatment of peristomal skin disorders.