Support for stoma patients

Abstract

This issue features an article addressing the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on the management of faecal incontinence in adults (NICE, 2007). In this article (p 12), the author sets out key priorities for health care professionals in implementing the guidance and explains how the relevant documents issued by NICE should be used to provide the best care for patients suffering from this debiliating condition. Faecal incontinence can cause individuals to cope with their symptoms alone, often due to embarrassment and an unwillingness to seek help from the health service. As mentioned in the news section of GIN this month (p 4), NICE have decided not to recommend the use of infliximab in patients with sub−acute moderately−to−severely active ulcerative colitis. This is another example of a drug that could be used to benefit patients that is unavailable because it is not considered to be cost−effective. According to the guidance issued, a sub−acute manifestation of moderately−to−severely active ulcerative colitis is defined as disease that would normally be managed in an outpatient setting and that does not require hospitalisation or the consideration of urgent surgical intervention.