On 6 June, the National Nephrostomy Working Group launched a new framework at the BAUN (British Association of Urological Nurses) study day. The framework aims to bring more consistency to nephrostomy care, wherever it’s delivered – in hospital, GP surgeries, or out in the community.
The aim is simple: patients should be able to expect the same high standard of care, whoever is looking after them and their nephrostomy.
By bringing in shared protocols, the framework hopes to iron out the differences in how care is delivered, reduce risks, and make a real difference to the everyday lives of people living with a nephrostomy.
What the framework focuses on
At its heart, the framework recognises that good nephrostomy care is everyone’s responsibility, and that the people involved in a patient’s care, from hospital teams to community nurses, should work closely together to make that happen.
It calls for:
- Putting patients first – helping people make informed decisions about their own care, respecting their preferences, and giving them the confidence and knowledge to manage their nephrostomy day to day
- Consistent care – making sure the same good practices are followed everywhere, covering everything from insertion and ongoing care to infection control, discharge and planning ahead
- Joined-up support – making sure people are well looked after once they leave hospital, with clear support in place in the community so the move from hospital to home feels safe and well managed
By adopting this framework, the hope is that care becomes more consistent, problems like dislodgement, blockages, infection or sepsis become rarer and more preventable, and patients have a better experience overall thanks to clearer, shared ways of working.
A passport for patients
The working group has also introduced a new patient nephrostomy passport. It’s designed to be filled in together by patients and the professionals supporting them, and brings together a discharge checklist, records of insertions, notes from appointments, and practical advice on everyday care – plus guidance on when to seek help.
Warmly welcomed
Commenting on the launch of these two documents, Brian Fretwell, the Urostomy Association’s Chairman said:
“For too long, patients living with nephrostomies have faced a fragmented and inconsistent care experience, with no single clinical discipline taking clear ownership of their pathway. The result is that many are left feeling isolated, unsure of where to turn for help.
The Urostomy Association warmly congratulates the national working group on the development of these long-overdue resources. Together, the patient passport and professional framework will both empower patients and provide professionals with the structure needed to deliver consistent, high-quality care.
The nephrostomy patient community deserves better – and this is a landmark step towards achieving that.”