Application of discharge planning in rectal cancer patients with a stoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND Rectal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system. Surgery is the main method of treatment for rectal cancer. Enterostomy affects the patient’s body structure, lifestyle, psychological adjustment, and social adaptability. Exploring ways to improve the stoma adaptability and quality of life in patients with rectal cancer can help patients return to their families and society smoothly. AIM To evaluate the effects of discharge planning in rectal cancer patients with a stoma. METHODS Using the convenience sampling method, 100 rectal cancer patients with a stoma were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 50 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing intervention and telephone follow-up, while the observation group received planned nursing intervention at discharge and routine nursing intervention. The adaptation level to stoma, quality of life, and incidence of colostomy complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Three and six mo after discharge, the ostomy adjustment inventory (OAI) scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (t = 2.136 and 6.713, P < 0.05). The scores of quality of life in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t = 22.52 and 24.87, P < 0.05). The incidence of colostomy complications in the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (χ2 = 15.072, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The application of discharge planning in rectal cancer patients with a stoma can help improve the adaptation level to stoma, effectively improve the quality of life, and reduce the incidence rate of colostomy complications.