Ostomy care guidance and patient rights advocacy

Healthcare professionals and advocacy groups are highlighting best practices and rights for individuals living with ostomies.

In the United Kingdom, clinical guidance emphasizes the importance of managing urostomy complications, such as peristomal skin issues and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Because urostomy patients may not experience typical UTI symptoms like the sensation of needing to urinate, clinicians advise monitoring for cloudy urine, unusual odors, increased mucus, and general fatigue.

In the United States, nurses at Indiana University Health have utilized the United Ostomy Associations of America’s (UOAA) Ostomy and Continent Diversion Patient Bill of Rights to advocate for improved outpatient services. Clinicians used the document to educate facility leadership and empower patients to seek specialized care and annual checkups, ensuring access to certified ostomy nursing throughout the patient journey.