Many patients undergo ostomy surgery that alters their normal passage of elimination. Ostomies are created for variety of reasons and can be either temporary or permanent, depending on the disease and the problems involved. Abdominal stomas are being constructed with increasing frequency in the treatment of various malignant, congenital, inflammatory and traumatic conditions.

The deprivation of normal control and alteration in physical appearance can have profound psychological impact. The fear and physical disfigurement can make ostomates avoid social contacts even with family and friends.

The Enterostomal Therapist provides direct patient care to person with abdominal stomas, fistulas, draining wounds and incontinence, as an educator, consultant and researcher.  With additional knowledge, specific skills and desirable attitudes an ET can be the turning point in the life of an ostomate especially when he is under severe strain and depression.  An ET patient can resumes his normal activities and regain his self esteem.

The role of ET includes pre-operative education and counseling, stoma site selection pre and postoperative technical advice, emotional support, discharge planning, outpatient follow up and ongoing rehabilitation care to patient and family.

The life of the ostomate has been vastly improved by technical advancement in surgery techniques, prosthetic devices combined with the development in specialized stoma-care with the five phases of ostomy rehabilitation.

1. Pre-operative phase (psychological preparation)
2. Crises phase (counseling and sitting stoma site, ostomy visitor)
3. Recuperative phase (post operative care, fixing of stoma appliance)
4. Transition phase
   (hospital discharge planning and  psychological preparation to adjust with stoma)
   5 Post-hospital phase (follow up care for evaluation of stoma and suggestion of proper  appliances, self care, nutritional guidance)

OSTOMATES GET TOGETHER

Services provided by Stoma Clinic :

● Management of urinary and faecal incontinence
● Management of draining wounds, fistulas and non-healing wounds.
   (Pressure sores, leg ulcers)
● Pre-operative counseling for ostomy surgery
● Stoma-siting
● Arrangement of an ostomy visitor
● Post-operative counseling
● Selection of appliances and teaching appropriate pouching technique
● Irrigation procedures for colostomate
● Practical education to patient and family
● Nutritional guidance for ostomate
● Discussion of pregnancy, sex problems and vocational needs of ostomates
● Follow-up care
● Inservice education
● Training program in Enterostomal Therapy

Training Programe

Enterostomal Therapy Training Programe  affiliated with Continuing Adult Education and Extension. Works , S.N.D.T. Women’s University, Mumbai  and  recognized by World Council Enterostomal Therapists Association

Course Date: 15 September to 15 December

Eligibility     :  Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery / Degree in B.Sc (Nursing)
                       For Nurses from India and neighboring countries.

Work Experience: 5 yrs. or more in a General or Cancer Hospital

Vacancies  :        6 – 8

Apply :   H. R. D. Department , Tata Memorial Hospital , Dr,E.Borges Road, Parel,
               Mumbai 400012.