Note: This guideline is currently under review. Show
Introduction Aim Definition of Terms Assessment Management Special Consideration Evidence Table References IntroductionThis guideline applies to all infants returning post-operatively with a stoma. The conditions that require stoma formation include anorectal malformations, Hirschsprung disease, intestinal atresias, necrotising enterocolitis and spontaneous ileal perforation. The stoma formation may be in response to a single congenital malformation or in the context of a more complex condition or syndrome. In most situations, the stoma may be closed prior to discharge from hospital or the patient may be discharged home with the stoma in-situ. Post-operative management of the infant will depend on their underlying condition and the procedure performed and may include monitoring of fluids and electrolytes, as well as management of nutrition and pain relief. The focus of care will be the successful reintroduction of enteral feeding. The success of enteral feeding will be dependent on multiple factors, including the pre-operative condition and gestational age. Post-operative complications will relate to wound healing ability, length and type of gut retained, further deterioration of surviving gut, stricture formation and risk of sepsis, as well as individual neonatal characteristics. Each of these may impact on the infant’s hospital journey. Aim
Definition of Terms
Types of stomas
AssessmentPhysical AssessmentMost infants will return postoperatively with Jelonet and gauze over the stoma. The laparotomy suture line should have an adhesive dressing over it which should remain intact until surgical direction to remove. Stoma observations should occur upon return to ward post-operatively and at least 4 hourly thereafter. ObserveCOLOUR
APPEARANCE
PROTRUSION
MUCOCUTANEOUS JUNCTION (where the stoma meets the skin)
PERISTOMAL SKIN (the skin around the stoma)
WOUND
Ongoing AssessmentPotential complications: Complications that may occur can involve the stoma itself, the surgical wound or the peri-stomal skin. For ongoing assessment and handover purposes, the Rover can be used to photograph the stoma and be uploaded to the Media section of the medical record with linkage to LDA’s.
As enteral feeds are introduced, other complications may emerge, such as pre-stomal obstruction, strictures and feed intolerance for a variety of reasons that will need medical and/or surgical management. Report to medical staff/ANUM/stomal consultant episodes of vomiting and changes in output volumes or appearance. Blood in the effluent is never normal and must be investigated urgently. Feed Intolerance symptoms
Stomal Therapy Stomal therapy consultants at RCH are employed by the Department of Education and Training and receive a referral from the surgical team when a stoma is newly formed. Nursing staff caring for an infant with a stoma should ensure this has occurred so the infant may be
followed-up and reviewed as required by the surgical teams. Stomal Therapy are involved in education for parents and new babies with stomas and provide the education they require for discharge home safely and organize their linking in with Ostomy associations. Stomal therapy should be notified if complications arise and when advice regarding dressings or product modifications are required. Stomal therapists do not attend routine dressing or bag changes. Contact stomal therapy on: Phone 3945 5338 ASCOM 52496 InvestigationsInfants with stomal losses require frequent and regular evaluation of their fluid and electrolyte status to prevent complications. Sodium is critical to growth and infants with ongoing sodium deficits are at risk of impaired growth and cognitive dysfunction. Increased sodium losses are associated with high output stomas, anatomically higher stomas and premature infants.
https://www.rch.org.au/neonatal_rch/intranet_Drug_and_electrolyte_dosing_in_the_RCH_NICU/ ManagementPatient’s returning post operatively will require 4 hourly dressing changes at a minimum, moving to 4-6 hourly PRN as assessments and stomal characteristics change. Several products are available for use. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Contact Clinical Technology to supply base products and specialized products such as 2-piece bag systems and eakin strips/caulking paste can be obtained by contacting Stomal therapy on ASCOM 52496. DRESSING CHANGE PROCEDUREInactive stomas or extreme excoriation of peri-stomal skin due to bag leakage. Aim is to keep the stoma clean and moist and to measure fluid losses while assessing integrity, healing and identifying emerging complications. See: Procedure - Inactive stoma dressing change. See: Procedure – Active Stoma bag application procedure. ONGOING MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT OF NASOGASTRIC TUBE:A nasogastric or orogastric tube must be insitu and open to free drainage into a yellow container with an air escape hole cut into it. Never clamp the NGT unless directed by the surgical team. When feeding commences, it will be via this tube and clamping for up to an hour post feed/medication administration then venting will be appropriate. Gently aspirate yellow container to form a documented loss every 4 hours until feeding commences. Document separately as “aspirate” and “drainage” in the Fluid Balance section of the EMR Flowsheets. PROCEDURE FOR BAG APPLICATION/CHANGE:Introduction of enteral feeds will increase output and require skin protection with stoma wafer and bag. Small dantac bags are used with circular wafers and are available by contacting clinical technology who will arrange supply. However, if increased convexity is required due to scar indentations Bravia protective sheet 3210 may be cut to size. It is hoped that initially bags can remain insitu for at least 24 hours – 72 hours to preserve skin integrity. Never reinforce a wafer as effluent will be on the skin underneath corroding it. You may wish to angle the new bag so it rests sideways across the abdomen and can be covered with the nappy. Bags pointing straight down may become contaminated with urine and may adversely affect skin integrity and wafer adhesion. If the wafer and bag are secure with no evidence of leakage, the bag can be opened from the bottom and using a syringe with white tipped aspirator, remove contents and document output in Fluid Balance every 4 hours. NUTRITION:Patients will require TPN until the stoma becomes active, indicating returning intestinal function. Feeds will initially be trophic, increasing at a rate determined by medical staff. Daily gradings should be assessed for tolerance and symptoms of feed intolerance reported to the ANUM and medical team. REFEEDING: Follow link: PROCEDURE – Refeeding The first NGT insertion into the mucous fistula is to be conducted by the surgeon or their delegate. If documented as appropriate, suitably experienced nurses may insert subsequent tubes to the documented length. Education/discharge planningIt is appropriate that parents/carers are educated on the basic care requirements and identification of stoma complications as often parents are willing and able to attend to the stoma care needs of their infants while they are inpatients. Stoma education may begin as soon as parents/carers are willing to begin. However, it is important to note that not all parents are willing to participate immediately and will require support to build confidence. Parents whose infant is being discharged with a stoma will be required to learn to care for the stoma before discharge. Care co-ordination and stoma support services are available for any infant going home with a stoma. Special ConsiderationsSpecial Considerations for Perioperative Stoma CareNew Stoma bags are required to be applied to all in-patients prior to going to surgery.
Refer to procedure for bag application change as per guideline. Intra-operative Cardiac Theatre Stoma CareHand hygiene performed. The stoma area will be included in a pre-op wash using 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate wash cloth, taking care not to touch the stoma site. A raytec gauze and large tegaderm are to be used to cover the stoma bag. The patient will then be prepped and draped as routine for Cardiac Surgery. Intra-operative General Surgery Stoma CareHand hygiene performed. If the procedure is not to close the stoma, the stoma site will be dressed with a raytec gauze and large tegaderm will be used to cover the stoma bag after the patient has been prepped and draped. If the stoma is to be close it will remain undressed and surgery to continue. Related ProceduresAdmission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Neonatal Pain Assessment Replacement of Neonatal Gastrointestinal losses Neonatal and Infant skin care Routine Post Anaesthetic observations Nursing Assessment Guideline Wound Care Parenteral Nutrition in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit Drug and Electrolyte dosing in the RCH NICU Evidence TableThe evidence table can be viewed here. References
Please remember to read the disclaimer The development of this clinical guideline was coordinated by Jessica Smith, Clinical Nurse Educator, Butterfly Ward. Approved by the Clinical Effectiveness Committee. First published November 2018. Which concern would be a priority for the nurse caring for an infant born with exstrophy of the bladder?The primary goal when caring for a child with bladder exstrophy is to: preserve normal kidney function. develop adequate bladder function and promote urinary continence.
What action does a nurse implement to protect newborns from infection while in the hospital?Important measures include (1) the reduction of bacterial colonization through appropriate care of the umbilical stump and skin of the patient; (2) handwashing before and after contact with a patient; (3) low nurse-to-patient ratios; (4) cohorting of newborn infants; (5) isolation and cohorting of infected babies; (6) ...
For which condition would an infant born with exstrophy of the bladder be at risk quizlet?Epispadias is a rare birth defect affecting the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the body. It usually occurs in babies with bladder exstrophy, another birth defect. Providers usually diagnose epispadias at birth.
Which procedure would the nurse use to elevate the head of an infant in a spica cast?Using the bedpan
Elevate your child's head and shoulders with pillows when he/she is placed on the bedpan. This will help prevent urine from running backward and inside the cast. A gauze or cloth pad or a small folded towel placed on the back rim of a bedpan will absorb any moisture and help keep the cast dry.
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