Resuming a normal life: holistic care of the person with an ostomy

A community nurse may often encounter an ostomate (person with a stoma) but may not be regularly involved in their stoma care. This article explains the main types of stoma, stoma appliances and indications for some operations. Explanations are provided on some of the stoma appliances and accessories and when these might be useful to the community nurse and the ostomate. Stoma care is explained, including how to undertake a basic stoma appliance change. Issues that community nurses might be questioned about, such as diet and driving, are explored to assist the community nurse in providing holistic care for ostomates.