Purpose: High output stoma(HOS) is one of the most common complications after ileostomy, leading to fluid and electrolyte disturbances and renal dysfunction, and increasing the risk of readmission. Routine health education for HOS should be provided, and nurses, as the primary educators, should have adequate knowledge and skills in this area. However, there is a paucity of research on the knowledge and practice of HOS management. This study used the Knowledge, Attitude and Behavioural Practice Model to assess the management of HOS by colorectal surgery nurses and to explore the factors that influence it.
Method: Using a multi-centre, cross-sectional study design, 398 colorectal surgery nurses from 6 hospitals in 6 cities in 6 provinces were surveyed using a structured electronic questionnaire to assess general information and knowledge, attitudes and management practices and training needs related to HOS of ileostomy.
Results: Colorectal surgery nurses' knowledge and practice of HOS was low. The presence or absence of training is an important factor influencing nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practice, with most nurses having no training and stoma specialist nurses scoring relatively high on knowledge and practice.
Conclusions: Nurses play a very important role in the management of HOS, but this study shows that the current level of knowledge and practice of HOS among colorectal surgery nurses is concerning, and whether or not they have received training is the most critical influencing factor; therefore, training related to HOS is urgently needed.
Keywords: Attitudes; Colorectal surgery; High output stoma; Knowledge; Practices.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.