Coconut shell as skin barriers for colorectal cancer survivors with ostomy

Ostomy bag is a pouch highly needed by the ostomate to collect the liquid leaking out of the stoma, seen in skin barrier. This is essential for preventing peristomal skin irritations, known to be one of the most common ostomate complications. The current cost of a standard appliance is relatively expensive, especially for patients with low income Therefore, it is necessary to create more affordable and less risky alternative tools, e.g., coconut shell, as against those commonly used in Indonesia. This study used quasi-experimental design with basic time series (n=8). Therefore, The Studio Alterazioni Cutanee Stomali (SACS) Instrument was adopted for the analyzing and classifying the degree of peristomal skin irritation. The data collected were then examined by experts, through picture documentations obtained using the Digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera equipped with zoom lens EFs18-55 mm, on day 1, day 3 and day 7 after the attachment of coconut shell skin barrier. The result indicated the absence of peristomal skin irritation experience in most of the respondents, while clinical evaluation using SACS Instrument, showed erythema symptoms on the skin area, which suggests irritation. It is possible to adopt coconut shell as a reference alternative tool for ostomate. This tool has the advantage of minimizing the potential risk of peristomal skin irritation, compared to others used in Indonesia, alongside the better cost effectiveness, accessibility, and reusability.