What is an E.T.? What does Enterostomal mean? Entero is Greek for intestine. Os means mouth or opening. An enterostomal Therapist or E.T. is a person who specializes in the care and rehabilitation of people with ostomies. Ostomy is a general word indicating all artificial openings in the body such as colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy and ileal conduit.
Much of the history about how E.T.'s came into being coincides with the origin of the United Ostomy Association (UOA). Historically there was a lack of instructional materials, an inability to openly discuss problems, a lack of technical expertise, and a lack of proper equipment. Post World War II, the first group of ostomates met in Philadelphia at Valley Forge General Hospital. The United Ostomy Association was formed in 1962. In 1958 the first E.T., Norma Gill, RNET, began practicing at Cleveland Clinic with Rupert B. Turnbull, M.D., who encouraged her to create this position. In 1961 they began to teach other people to be E.T.'s. The requirements were either to have a stoma or a family member with a stoma, and to have a commitment for employment as an E.T. in a hospital. The service that these first E.T.'s provided was just technical. Since 1976 the requirements are that the E.T. must be a registered nurse with two years experience, and go through an accredited Enterostomal Therapy Educational Program.
Now the focus of the E.T.'s role is much broader than the beginning. The role of the E.T. is to assist ostomates pre-surgically, post-operatively, and post-discharge to adjust to their change in body image; and to assist ostomates to have control of and confidence in their abilities with the new ostomy so they can resume a normal, active life. E.T.'s provide psychosocial counseling for the patient, family and education staff and follow-up care, as well as technical services related to skin care and equipment. E.T.'s use knowledge of anatomy and physiology; disease process, surgical procedures; teaching and learning principles; growth and development, nursing process and counseling and communication skills - all to meet with specific needs of ostomy patients. The E.T.'s skills are used directly with patients and family and also in teaching and coordinating ostomy care by other nurses involved with ostomates.
