Traditional versus telenursing outpatient management of patients with cancer with new ostomies

Purpose/Objectives: To measure the impact of telenursing on patients discharged with ostomiles resulting from cancer treatment. Design: Quasi-experimental design with surveys. Setting: Large tertiary care center in the southwestern United States. Sample: 28 patients with cancer in two groups : traditional home health and home health plus telenursing. Methods: Recorded the number of home health and telenursing contacts, dates when ostomy self-care needs were met, supplies used, and distance travelled. Patients completed a satisfaction survey and Macklebusts Ostomy Adjustment Scale. Main Research Variables: Type of care, costs, patients satisfaction ostomy adjustment and time to achieve ostomy self-care. Findings: Telenursing patients indicated higher satisfaction. The home health group averaged one more home health visit per patient (Telenursing (x) over bar = three visits). Overall costs for both types of visits were about equal. The home health group used an average of four more pouches per patient, with an increased cost of $52 per patient. Telenursing patients believed that telenursing made care more accessible, they preferred telemedicine rather than waiting for face-to-face visits but still believed that face-to-face visits were better. Conclusions: Combining traditional home health and telenursing is feasible for supporting discharged patients with new ostomies and enhances traditional home health, resulting in increased satisfaction overall. Implications for Nursing: Oncology nurses should develop telenursing programs that include patient and family education regarding oncology issues.