This week I am visiting two women in either Skilled Nursing in a Step-Down Facility or Rehab Facility and I am concerned about their care. Believe me, this is nothing new, my concern for the care of ostomates when they are in these places, where they are dependent upon the staff to meet their specific needs. It feels epidemic to me…and it is a warning that if we don’t create some sense of responsibility, we may find ourselves in this very needy and underserved position!
Here is the situation as I see it…when an ostomy patient leaves the hospital in a weakened state or is in need of rehabilitation, they are sent to a facility to get back their strength or ability to care for themselves. The Social Worker, or another professional working on the placement, should ascertain what services are available for the ostomate. If the facility states they are equipped to provide ostomy services, they are usually compensated for that, and it is assumed by insurance/Medicare, that there is either a trained nurse or WOCN to assist. But what happens if the facility states there is skilled care available, and then DOES NOT PROVIDE it?
What about an ostomate who has been in an Assisted Living facility taking care of herself for years and is no longer able to do so? It is untenable to suddenly need skilled nursing care, and have to sob out of frustration and humiliation for help. This breaks my heart for the very same reason…how can the patient and family be told there are services available and then not have them provided?
I was very fortunate that when I was in a rehab facility to recover my strength there was a nurse trained in helping me. I had never even changed my appliance and suddenly my high-output ileostomy was working overtime and I was frequently in need of help. Over these past five years, I thank my lucky stars that my introduction to life as an ostomate wasn’t negatively influenced by people who didn’t care about my leaks or need to change as often as I did.
There has to be something I and others can do to prevent ostomates from suffering the humiliation and pain of not being cared for properly. I will have to speak my mind to “the powers that be” after offering loving support to the patients. And if necessary, in the spirit of Halloween, the two visits I make this week may just feel like a visit from the Devil, because I may not behave like an Angel!
Read your article. Skilled care must be provided but everyone needs an advocate. You can lead the charge, but a patient needs their physician and family to follow up. I know…easier said than done.