Exploration of critical care nurses' challenges in caring for enterocutaneous fistula as a complication for an open abdomen: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background and AimsEnterocutaneous fistula is a severe complication of an open abdomen, which poses devastating challenges for critical care nurses. The study aimed to explore and describe the challenges faced by critical care nurses caring for patients with enterocutaneous fistulas in a tertiary public hospital in Gauteng, South Africa.MethodsA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design was conducted to understand the challenges experienced by the critical care nurses caring for patients with enterocutaneous fistulas. The standards for reporting qualitative research checklists are utilized. The study conducted four semistructured focus group interviews with six members in each group.ResultsCritical care nurses revealed two overarching themes: the challenges regarding difficult nursing care and the lack of resources to provide quality patient care. Care of patients with ECF highlighted that nurses were not coping with the care of such patients.ConclusionCollaboration of a multidisciplinary team involving dieticians, surgeons, and enterostomal therapy nurses could improve the management of ECF without surgical intervention, increase the knowledge and skills of nurses, alleviate their challenges, and yield safe patient outcomes. Standardized and updated protocols will ensure the best practices toward quality patient care that facilitate healing, closure, and reducing mortality and morbidity rates. The key principles for caring for patients with open abdomen, presenting with enterocutaneous fistulas, are based on correcting fluids and electrolytes, nutritional optimization and support, control of abdominal sepsis, wound care management, pain control, and emotional support to critical care nurses and ward nurses.