Ostomy Assessment Systematic Integration of Studies (OASIS): Assessment Tools Scoping Review

BackgroundIndividuals living with an ostomy require a comprehensive assessment to address multiple physical and psychosocial challenges and needs. Despite the importance of a comprehensive ostomy assessment in guiding care, the tools available to support such an assessment vary in availability, scope, and validation. This scoping review, part of the overall Ostomy Assessment Systematic Integration of Studies (OASIS) study, a large scoping review focused on the assessment of individuals living with an ostomy, aims to identify and map the current evidence related to ostomy assessment tools. MethodsUsing the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), this scoping review searched the MEDLINE and CINAHL databases in January 2021. Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed, written in English, and addressed the assessment of individuals living with an ostomy. ResultsOf 42,059 records identified through the search, 383 were included within the overall synthesis of the OASIS study, 29 of which were grouped in the “Assessment Tools” theme. Twelve ostomy-specific tools were identified, covering variables, such as peristomal skin assessment (i.e., Skin Assessment and Care Strategies [SACS], Peristomal Skin Assessment Tool [PSAT], Ostomy Skin Tool [OST]/Discolouration, Erosion, Tissue Overgrowth [DET] Tool OST/DET], and the Peristomal Lesion Scale [PLS]), self-efficacy and self-care (i.e., Ostomy Self-Care Index [OSCI] and the Caregiver Companion Care Index [CCOSCI]), dehydration risk (i.e., Dehydration Readmission After Ileostomy Prediction [DRIP]), quality of life (i.e., Chinese City of Hope–Quality of Life Ostomy Questionnaire [C-COH] and Colostomy Impact Score [CIS]), and psychosocial adjustment (i.e., Ostomy Adjustment Inventory [OAI-23] and Ostomy Adjustment Scale [OAS]). Findings demonstrate the benefits and limitations of current tools and the need for holistic assessments of those living with an ostomy. ConclusionsValidated assessment tools for use in those living with an ostomy may provide valuable resources for enhancing patient care. Despite the development of new tools, gaps remain in the development of multimodal assessment tools and in understanding how to implement them. Continued development and validation of new assessment tools hold great promise for assisting clinicians, especially non specialized clinicians, in enhancing the care they provide.