Abstract
The present study assessed the status of ostomates who had obtained ostomy appliances at disaster base hospitals after the Great East Japan Earthquake. ln addition, we examined the supply process for these appliances and considered measures to help ostomates to prepare for future disasters. Eighty percent (n＝38) of the ostomates supplied with the appliances had not attended regular consultation at stoma outpatient clinics, which made them ill-prepared for the disaster. Seventeen percent (n＝8) visited disaster base hospitals before relief supplies arrived, and received sufficient appliances from those stored at the hospital. To prepare for future disasters, ostomates should be strongly encouraged to make regular and continuous visits to stoma outpatient clinics, attend classes on maintaining a normal social life, and join a patient association. Support systems would be greatly enhanced by greater storage of appliances to be used in emergency situations, especially at disaster base hospitals. Supply routes for appliances and methods for information dissemination to ostomates should also be reconsidered, with the cooperation of local governments.
