Lesson 1Peristomal skin assessment: irritant vs allergic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, candidiasis, maceration, excoriationLooks at step-by-step checks of skin around the stoma, telling apart irritant and allergic dermatitis, spotting contact dermatitis, fungal infections like candidiasis, skin softening from moisture, and raw skin, and connecting these to causes, prevention, and treatment.
Baseline inspection and palpation of peristomal skinFeatures of irritant versus allergic dermatitisRecognizing contact dermatitis from adhesivesIdentifying candidiasis and moisture-associated damageAssessment of maceration, erosion, and excoriationLesson 2Managing high-output and semi-liquid effluent: pouch choice, anti-diarrheal strategies, fluid/electrolyte considerationsDeals with checking and handling high-output or runny stoma output, including picking pouches and extras, anti-diarrhoea methods, diet tips, and watching fluids and salts to avoid dehydration and kidney issues.
Defining and monitoring high-output stomasPouch and accessory choices for liquid effluentDietary and pharmacologic antidiarrheal measuresFluid, electrolyte, and renal status monitoringEscalation criteria and when to involve providersLesson 3Documentation and photographic monitoring: standardized descriptors and measurement techniquesFocuses on proper recording and photo tracking of stomas and surrounding skin, using standard terms, measuring methods, getting consent, keeping privacy, and comparing over time to see if it's healing or getting worse.
Standardized terminology for stoma descriptionMeasuring stoma size, height, and locationPhotographic technique and patient consentSecure storage and privacy considerationsUsing serial photos to track progressionLesson 4Anatomy and physiology of stomas: types, location, and expected outputsGoes over stoma structure and function, including bowel and bladder types, common places, how they're made, and what output to expect, linking to pouch choice and risks of problems.
Intestinal segments used for stoma creationTypical locations for colostomy, ileostomy, urostomyStoma structure: lumen, mucosa, and spout heightExpected effluent volume and consistency by typePhysiologic changes after diversion surgeryLesson 5Infection prevention and safe technique during appliance changes: sterile vs clean technique, hand hygiene, waste disposalLooks at stopping infections during pouch changes, comparing sterile and clean methods, stressing hand washing, safe waste handling, clean surroundings, and ways to avoid spreading germs in different care places.
Indications for sterile versus clean techniqueHand hygiene and glove use for ostomy carePreparing a clean, low-contamination work areaSafe disposal of used pouches and suppliesReducing cross-contamination between body sitesLesson 6Postoperative stoma assessment: color, perfusion, prolapse, retraction, mucocutaneous separationCovers organised checks after stoma surgery, including colour, blood flow, swelling, bleeding, bulging out, pulling in, and separation at the join, with early spotting of poor blood supply and when to refer quickly.
Immediate postoperative stoma inspection stepsAssessing color, turgor, and perfusionRecognizing prolapse and retraction changesIdentifying mucocutaneous separationUrgent findings requiring rapid escalationLesson 7Accessories and skin protection: barriers, paste, rings, strips, skin protectant films and powders, adhesive removersExplains using extras and skin protectors like barriers, pastes, rings, strips, films, powders, and removers, with when to use, how to apply, what works together, and safety for different stomas.
Choosing appropriate barrier products by skin statusUse of paste, rings, and strips to fill skin foldsSkin protectant films and powders: when and howSafe and gentle use of adhesive removersAvoiding product buildup and incompatibilitiesLesson 8Risk assessment tools relevant to ostomies: Braden Scale for skin risk, stoma complication checklists, nutritional screening tools (MUST/SGA) and glucose control considerationsLooks at risk tools for ostomy patients, like Braden for skin risk, checklists for stoma issues, nutrition screens like MUST and SGA, and how blood sugar control affects healing.
Using the Braden Scale in ostomy patientsStructured stoma complication checklistsApplying MUST and SGA for nutrition riskGlycemic control and wound healing outcomesIntegrating risk scores into care planningLesson 9Stoma measurement and appliance selection: convex vs flat flanges, one-piece vs two-piece systems, flange sizes and wafer shapeShows how to measure stomas accurately and pick appliances, comparing curved and flat bases, one-piece or two-piece, and right size and shape for better fit, longer wear, and skin safety.
Measuring stoma diameter and contour safelySelecting flat versus convex flange designsChoosing one-piece versus two-piece systemsDetermining flange size and wafer shapeTrialing and reassessing fit over time
