AWARD Eva Carlsson, a stoma therapist at Östra Sjukhuset and adjunct senior lecturer at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, has received this year’s Ostomy Award of SEK 10,000 from the ILCO Sweden Ostomy Association (ILCO Tarm- uro- och stomiförbundet). She received the award because she has improved life for patients who have undergone ostomy surgery.
“I was surprised and incredibly pleased, of course, because this award is from patients. They are why I stay in health care,” says Eva Carlsson. She is project manager of one of the projects at the University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-centred Care. She teaches, conducts research, has international engagements and is in charge of Sweden’s only educational program for stoma therapists.
The intestinal failure clinic at Östra Sjukhuset in Gothenburg is unique in Sweden because of its collective expertise and team for patients with intestinal failure. Only a few other similar places exist. The clinic has patients from the entire region of Västra Götaland. Eva Carlsson has developed a training program for patients with intestinal failure who need an IV to obtain sufficient nutrients and fluids.
“Patients willing and able to can take their IV home, which offers incredible freedom from multiple hospital visits per week. It’s unfortunate that not everyone is given this opportunity. But it requires patient training, follow-up to ensure everything works as it should and enough support for the patient, and that’s what we have at our clinic,” says Carlsson. “Another important part of being a stoma therapist is working to ensure that people who have had ostomy surgery receive regular follow-ups at the stoma clinic to prevent stoma complications, and also to reclaim their lives and quality of life. We are working for this goal both nationally and in the stoma therapist program.”
The Ostomy Award is presented annually and aims to feature a person or group that has made outstanding efforts to feature, influence or improve the lives of people who have undergone ostomy surgery (25,000 in Sweden).
“Many people, especially young people, are affected by gastrointestinal diseases. In Sweden, 9,000 people per year—25 per day—face cancer of the digestive or urinary system. ILCO has the important task of ensuring that everyone receives the best possible treatment and support. Through the Ostomy Award, we call attention to diseases that require an ostomy,” says Bo Karlsson, chairman of the ILCO Sweden Ostomy Association.”
This year’s award statement reads: In an exemplary fashion, Eva Carlsson has improved the quality of life for many ostomy patients by calling attention to the issues they face through her nursing research in the ostomy field. She has also improved medical care through her work as course director of the stoma therapist educational program in Sweden (and Denmark). She is also passionate about an extremely vulnerable group, patients with intestinal failure, for whom she helps run a unique clinic in Gothenburg.
The award was presented on World Ostomy Day in Karlstad last weekend.
I was nursed by Eva , I’m from the uk & travelled for revisional kock pouch surgery , funded by the NHS in England . She became a friend & totally made my experience as pleasant as she could . We were in a foreign country , language barriers , & she supported me & my husband with everything . I cannot think of s more deserving person to take this award . Congratulations Eva , I’m so grateful & thankful for the care you gave us .
Wendy & Dave Watt . England .