There are around 1000 ostomates living in rural, remote communities in Western Australia, a state 10 times the size of the UK. These patients often do not have direct access to a stoma care nurse or peer support groups. Product delivery times to these areas are very long, and a stoical culture means people are reluctant to seek help from health professionals. The Western Australian Ostomy Association, based in the Perth metropolitan area, developed a programme of rural visits to check on stoma health, advise ostomates on complications and educate local nurses in stoma care.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a consensus on terminology used to define stomal, parastomal, and peristomal complications in Australia. METHODS:A list of stomal, parastomal, and peristomal complications was generated through group dialogue, which was informed by clinical and academic knowledge of the researchers. An extensive literature review was undertaken to identify any additional terms and to create a database of definitions/descriptions. A library of images related to the identified conditions was generated. An online Delphi process was conducted among a representative, purposive sample of Australia expert wound, ostomy, and continence nurses and colorectal surgeons. Ten terms were presented to the panel with descriptive photographs of each complication. Up to three Delphi rounds and, if necessary, a priority voting round were conducted. RESULTS:Seven of the 10 terms reached agreement in the first round. One term (allergic dermatitis) was refined (allergic contact dermatitis) and reached agreement in the second round. Two terms (mucocutaneous granuloma and mucosal granuloma) were considered by the panel to be the same condition in different anatomical locations and were combined as one term (granuloma). Two terms (skin stripping and tension blisters) were combined as one term (medical adhesive-related skin injury) and reached agreement in round 2. CONCLUSIONS:A consensus in terminology used to describe stomal or parastomal/peristomal complications will enhance communication among patients and health professionals and advance opportunities for education and benchmarking of stomal, parastomal, and peristomal complications nationally.

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