The Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias in Alcalá de Henares has opened three ostomy-friendly washrooms and care rooms. According to the Community of Madrid the new facilities are available in the hospital’s emergency department, in the Hospital de Día and in the stoma therapy clinic of the hospital. The aim is to give people with a stoma greater security, privacy and autonomy during their hospital stay.
Each room is equipped with a sink positioned at bag height, a spacious surface, a shower fitting for rinsing out the stoma bag, a large mirror, soap and hooks. These adaptations to the layout and facilities are intended to make changing and caring for appliances easier under appropriate hygienic conditions. The hospital says that having ostomy-friendly washrooms available in different parts of the building improves patients’ experience of care and can reduce the distances they need to travel and waiting times.
The opening is part of an October programme raising awareness of the needs of people with an ostomy. Under the title Mes del Paciente Ostomizado the hospital organised information and discussion events. One of the highlights was the IV Jornadas de la Persona Ostomizada, which this year highlighted the importance of nutrition for health and quality of life. The head of nursing at the Servicio Madrileño de Salud, Elena Fernández Canoattended the opening of the fourth conference.
As part of the programme, the hospital’s committee for ostomy care also presented the book “Cocina con confianza. Recetas adaptadas para personas ostomizadas”. The publication is supported by the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists, the Sociedad Española de Enfermería Experta en Estomaterapia, the Consejo General de Enfermería and the Federación de Asociaciones de Personas Ostomizadas de España. The book contains more than a hundred adapted recipes as well as advice on particularly suitable foods and how to prepare them. The hospital says it is intended to offer practical guidance on everyday nutrition, helping to prevent discomfort and promote independent management of the stoma.
The hospital also presented the exhibition Invisible, featuring photographs and first-hand accounts from the everyday lives of people with an ostomy. It is aimed at patients, medical and nursing staff, and the general public, and seeks to showcase the range of people’s circumstances and challenges. With the newly opened washrooms and care rooms and the programme accompanying them, the Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias is offering practical, everyday support for patients receiving care.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).