TPN

Travel

Common sense rules!

•Do all cutting and trimming at home before trip

•Double-up on supplies

•Bring a letter of explanation

•Plan ahead

•Be especially health conscious while on the road

•Keep some supplies with you on the plane

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Now let's talk about one final consideration—traveling with an ostomy. As airline security tightens up around the world, people with ostomies need to take a few extra steps to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free journey. These ideas all have their roots in common sense, and should be considered by anyone traveling with an ostomy and its related supplies.

1. All stoma supplies that need to be pre-cut should be done so before the trip to avoid having to find scissors while out of town.

2. Patients should be instructed to pack at least a few of each of their supplies in their carry-on luggage in addition to their checked bags, thereby buying a little time should checked bags get lost or delayed. And, if traveling by car, keep supplies in the coolest part of the car in order for them to be ready-to-use when needed.

3. Instruct patients that it might be a good idea to bring along a written letter from their physician explaining their need for the supplies they’ve brought, minimizing any misunderstandings that could occur with airport security.

4. With airline travel especially, instruct patients to plan ahead for travel breaks in order to check their pouches.

5. Instruct patients to take care of themselves while away from home. This means keeping adequately hydrated, getting enough regular exercise, and resting as needed. Medical help may not be as knowledgeable about ostomies as the patient’s regular care team is at home—and seeking medical attention while traveling is never easy.

6. Bring extra supplies with you on the plane in case you need them on the flight, or if your luggage is delayed/lost.

Resources

United Ostomy Associations of America

Guidebooks and other information:
http://www.ostomy.org
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society
http://www.wocn.org

Summary

•Can be medically complex

•Proper care is essential

•Support is available from several sources

So as we have seen, there are several types of ostomies, each with their own unique idiosyncrasies. And although complications are a constant threat, we have shown that with proper care and the use of the correct accessories, problems can be minimized. Support for patients is available from both nurses specialists and product manufacturers and suppliers, and patient advocate groups are plentiful. Patient education is key, as is a commitment on the part of the patient to become as knowledgeable and proficient as possible in the care of their stoma.

That concludes our presentation, and it’s time to take the course evaluation and post-test. The organizations that provide this course’s continuing education accreditations, and your credits for this course, require each of you to fill out a course evaluation and to pass the post-test with eight or more correct answers in order to receive CE credit.