Enterostomal Therapy Course

Lesson 1 • Core Terminology and Classification

Defines standardized ostomy, wound, and fistula terminology used in clinical documentation and interprofessional communication. Ensures consistent language across all course modules.

Lesson 2 • Gastrointestinal Anatomy and Physiology

Covers GI tract structure, function, and surgical landmarks relevant to stoma creation. Provides the anatomical basis for all subsequent ostomy management content.

Lesson 3 • Urinary System Anatomy Review

Examines kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra in the context of urinary diversion surgery. Links urinary anatomy to urostomy creation and management principles.

Lesson 4 • Skin Structure and Integrity

Describes skin layers, barrier function, and peristomal tissue characteristics. Establishes the physiological basis for skin protection strategies used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Stoma Siting Principles

Teaches preoperative stoma site marking criteria including abdominal contour, belt line, and patient lifestyle factors. Proper siting reduces postoperative complications and improves appliance adherence.

Lesson 2 • Urinary Diversion Stoma Types

Examines ileal conduit, cutaneous ureterostomy, and continent urinary diversions. Differentiates urostomy output, mucus production, and appliance requirements from faecal stomas.

Lesson 3 • Colostomy Construction and Variants

Details sigmoid, transverse, and descending colostomy creation techniques and output profiles. Connects surgical method to expected stoma appearance and effluent consistency.

Lesson 4 • Intraoperative and Postoperative Stoma Assessment

Describes normal stoma appearance immediately after surgery and expected changes during the first weeks. Establishes baseline assessment skills used in all subsequent clinical chapters.

Lesson 1 • Paediatric and Special Population Appliances

Addresses neonatal, paediatric, and bariatric appliance sizing, adhesive sensitivity, and system modifications. Ensures students adapt standard selection criteria to vulnerable populations.

Lesson 2 • Skin Barriers: Types and Properties

Examines flat, convex, and mouldable barriers, including standard and extended-wear formulations. Connects barrier chemistry to peristomal skin protection and wear time optimisation.

Lesson 3 • Pouch Styles and Drainable Options

Reviews closed-end, drainable, and urostomy pouches including filter and tap designs. Matches pouch style to effluent consistency, output volume, and patient activity level.

Lesson 4 • Accessory Products and Adjuncts

Covers pastes, rings, powders, belts, and adhesive removers used to customise the pouching system. Demonstrates how accessories address irregular peristomal contours and skin challenges.

Lesson 1 • Peristomal Skin Assessment and Care

Teaches systematic inspection of peristomal skin using validated assessment tools and grading scales. Identifies early skin changes to prevent progression to complex complications.

Lesson 2 • Pouch Change Procedure

Provides step-by-step technique for removing, cleaning, measuring, and applying a pouching system. Reinforces aseptic principles and efficiency to minimise patient discomfort and skin exposure.

Lesson 3 • Structured Patient and Caregiver Teaching

Applies adult learning principles to design individualised ostomy education plans for patients and caregivers. Progresses from observation to supervised practice to independent self-care.

Lesson 4 • Dietary and Fluid Guidance for Ostomates

Provides evidence-based nutrition and hydration recommendations tailored to colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy. Addresses food blockage, odour, gas, and dehydration risk reduction.

Lesson 1 • Parastomal Hernia Management

Examines hernia classification, conservative management with support garments, and surgical referral criteria. Teaches appliance modifications that accommodate hernia while maintaining seal integrity.

Lesson 2 • High-Output Stoma Management

Addresses fluid and electrolyte imbalance in high-output ileostomies and urostomies. Provides dietary, pharmacological, and appliance strategies to reduce output and prevent dehydration.

Lesson 3 • Peristomal Skin Complications

Covers irritant contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, pseudoverrucous lesions, and fungal infections. Links each condition to causative factors and targeted topical management.

Lesson 4 • Pyoderma Gangrenosum and Rare Conditions

Introduces pyoderma gangrenosum, peristomal varices, and other uncommon peristomal conditions. Emphasises accurate diagnosis to avoid inappropriate wound debridement and treatment errors.

Lesson 1 • Comprehensive Wound Assessment

Teaches measurement, wound bed description, exudate analysis, periwound skin evaluation, and pain assessment. Systematic assessment forms the basis for individualised wound care plans.

Lesson 2 • Factors Affecting Wound Healing

Examines systemic factors—nutrition, diabetes, vascular disease, medications—and local factors that impair healing. Identifies modifiable risk factors for targeted patient optimisation.

Lesson 3 • Wound Documentation and Photography

Establishes standards for written wound documentation, measurement recording, and clinical photography. Accurate records support continuity of care, legal compliance, and outcome evaluation.

Lesson 4 • Wound Healing Physiology

Details haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling phases with clinical correlates. Understanding healing phases enables recognition of stalled or aberrant wound progression.

Lesson 1 • Wound Cleansing and Irrigation

Covers solution selection, irrigation pressure, and technique for acute and chronic wounds. Proper cleansing removes debris without damaging viable tissue or disrupting healing.

Lesson 2 • Wound Dressing Selection Framework

Applies a systematic framework matching dressing properties to wound moisture, depth, infection risk, and location. Reduces inappropriate dressing use and optimises healing environment.

Lesson 3 • Debridement Methods and Selection

Compares sharp, autolytic, enzymatic, mechanical, and biological debridement methods. Matches debridement type to wound characteristics, patient tolerance, and clinical setting.

Lesson 4 • Infection Recognition and Management

Distinguishes contamination, colonisation, local infection, and spreading infection using clinical criteria. Guides topical antimicrobial selection and systemic antibiotic referral decisions.

Lesson 1 • Nutritional Support in Fistula Care

Addresses enteral and parenteral nutrition strategies to support fistula closure and tissue repair. Coordinates with dietitians to meet elevated protein and caloric demands.

Lesson 2 • Enterocutaneous Fistula Classification

Classifies fistulas by output volume, anatomical origin, and complexity to guide management approach. Accurate classification determines conservative vs. surgical management pathways.

Lesson 3 • Multidisciplinary Care Coordination

Establishes the enterostomal therapist's role within surgical, nutrition, pharmacy, and rehabilitation teams. Effective coordination reduces complications, length of stay, and readmission rates.

Lesson 4 • Urinary and Faecal Incontinence Management

Covers assessment, containment products, pelvic floor rehabilitation referral, and skin protection for incontinent patients. Prevents incontinence-associated dermatitis and pressure injury.