ConvaTec launches new stoma care recovery programme

Global medical technology company ConvaTec Group announced the launch of the 'me+' recovery programme for stoma patients, including a nurse education course which has been accredited by the Royal College of Nursing in the UK, on Monday.

The FTSE 100 firm said the 'me+' recovery programme would provide advice and support about the importance of movement and physical activity after stoma surgery.

It said the evidence-based programme aimed to aid recovery, improve long term outcomes and potentially reduce the risk of parastomal hernia, with the programme and two-day nurse education course being the first and only of their kind in stoma care.

Current clinical guidelines already stressed the importance of physical activity to patient recovery, and National Guidelines from the Association of Stoma Care Nurses recommended that stoma patients engage in appropriate abdominal and core muscle exercises after surgery, to rehabilitate the abdominal wall, ConvaTec explained.

Despite that guidance, however, results of a recent survey of more than 2,600 stoma patients conducted by ConvaTec found a high percentage of respondents reported that they did not get any advice or support about physical activity post-surgery from their surgeon, nurse, GP or other healthcare professional, nor received any advice about post-op abdominal exercises.

“There is no doubt that patients who adopt a more active recovery generally do better, not least their physical recovery progresses more rapidly,” said Professor Sina Dorudi, consultant colorectal surgeon at the Princess Grace Hospital in London.

“They also have a better quality of life, are fitter, healthier and tend to adapt to life with a stoma more easily.”

Professor Dorudi said it was also important to spend some time concentrating specifically on abdominal muscle recovery.

“Stoma care nurses set the scene for the future health and wellbeing of their patients,” said ConvaTec’s vice president and general manager of ostomy care Erik Zimmer.

“The 'me+' recovery programme with RCN-accredited education demonstrates our commitment to providing nurses and patients with innovative resources that can help them improve outcomes and quality of life.

“Our goal is to continually launch new products and solutions that inspire people with stomas to live the life they want, and to help healthcare professionals achieve a higher level of care by giving them unparalleled tools, products and educational patient materials.”

ConvaTec said the 'me+' recovery programme consists of direct-to-patient materials, including a recovery handbook, video, and online support, combined with the two-day training course for stoma care nurses.

Materials and course content were developed in conjunction with nurses, patients, physiotherapists and surgeons; piloted with stoma care nurses and their patients; and peer-reviewed by experts in physiotherapy and colorectal surgery.