November/December 2001
Page 9
The Product Complacency Syndrome
By Linda Allen. RNET, Fort Worth. Texas
If you have an established ostomy (older than one year) you might be a victim of the "complacency syndrome." Complacency can be defined as a feeling of quiet security often while unaware of some potential danger, defect or the like.
Initially after surgery, it takes time to develop a security with management of your ostomy. After a period of time, it normally becomes like a second nature. We are creatures of habit and we sometimes accept a situation even if it's not as effective as it should be, because it is what we are accustomed to.
Here's a classic example. About ten years ago, I worked with a young woman whose ileostomy stoma was about ten years old. Following her surgery, she was fitted with improper products, a closed-end pouch for an ileostomy stoma. Since the pouch could not be emptied, she had to change it each time it became full, six to ten times a day. Just imagine her entire life revolved around care of her stoma, leaving little time for anything else. She had adapted by purchasing special clothes, carrying special equipment in a purse and setting up a special bed, one with a hole in the mattress! This was done to allow her skin to breathe, since its tendency was to become irritated because of the frequency of pouch changes during the day. Not surprisingly, she also spent a near fortune on purchasing ostomy products and the special accessory items she needed for her care, many hundreds a month. She had adapted to this routine and did not think to question that there could be a better way.
Do you have a problem that you may not have realized? After a period of time, stomas and the surrounding skin may change. We may gain or lose weight or develop a hernia. All of these factors affect the way a product works. Maybe it's time for a reality check.
Answer the following questions for yourself:
- Is your current product secure or does it leak frequently?
- Are you satisfied with the length of wear time?
- Adequately protecting your skin?
- Does it fit snugly around your stoma?
- The peristomal or surrounding skin should look like the skin on the other side of your abdomen. There should be no redness, whiteness, rash or broken area.
- Odour proof? If no, investigate why. Most current pouches are made with odour proof plastics and if secured well, will not let odour escape.
- Low profile, discreet? Gone are the days when big bulky products were our only choice. Choose a product that will not be visible under clothing.
- Easy to apply? Time saving and simple to use?
- Ostomy care should take no longer than 10 to 15 minutes and many times even less than that.
- Affordable? Seems as though price increases are implemented very frequently. The average price of an ostomy change for one wear time should be around $3.00 to $5.00. The cost of supplies is directly related to the frequency of change and the product itself. If cost is an issue, utilize your product carefully and eliminate unnecessary items.
- Readily available? If the product is hard to find, make sure your local retailer knows you will be ordering a particular product and ask that they keep it in stock for you.
Via Chambersburg PA Ostomy Group, via Ostomy Toronto, May 2001., via Inside Out On-line Nov/Dec 2001.
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