The Ostomy Skin Tool 2.0: a new instrument for assessing peristomal skin changes

Peristomal skin complications (PSCs) are frequently reported postoperative complications. PSCs can present visibly or as symptoms such as pain, itching or burning sensations.To develop a new tool that can capture a range of sensation symptoms together with visible complications and an objective assessment of discolouration in the peristomal area.Consensus from qualitative interviews with health professionals and people with an ostomy, and input from expert panels, formed the basis of a patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaire. A decision tree model was used to define a combined score including PRO and objectively assessed discolouration area.Six elements were included in the PRO questionnaire and four health states representing different severity levels of the peristomal skin were defined.The Ostomy Skin Tool 2.0 is a sensitive tool that can be used to follow changes in the peristomal skin on a regular basis and thereby help prevent severe PSCs.