Discharge from hospital
You will need the following information and documentation when you are discharged from hospital:
- a discharge letter for your GP
- an appointment for the first medical check-up consultation with the abdominal surgeon
- an appointment for a stoma consultation
- a prescription for stoma material
- a discharge kit containing stoma material
- a certificate for the home care nurse (if needed)
- an application form for compensation for bin bag payments (if needed)
- a certificate to apply for a toilet pass
- a stoma follow-up folder
Remember whenever you visit the hospital:
- to bring extra stoma material (flange and pouch)
- to bring a change of clothes
- to inform the nurse that you have a stoma before the examination begins
- to only drink two, rather than three, cups of contrast medium in preparation for a CT scan
Postoperative consultation
A check-up appointment will be arranged with the stoma nurse after your discharge from hospital.
During this initial postoperative consultation the stoma nurse will check your progress following your discharge from hospital, potential care-related problems, your intake of food and drink, your weight, material supplies and home care.
The stoma nurse will also care for the stoma during the consultation to ensure that potential skin or stoma problems are identified early and the care programme can be adapted where necessary. Therefore, remember not to replace the collection material at home before a stoma consultation appointment.
If necessary a follow-up appointment will be arranged.
Purchasing stoma supplies
When you are discharged from hospital, you will be given a discharge kit. This contains, amongst other things, the necessary materials to manage your first few days at home.
You will also receive the necessary prescriptions from the doctor for your first stoma material purchases. The health insurance fund reimburses the cost of most stoma materials. If you would like more information on this, please direct any questions to the stoma nursing staff.
Personal budget
Since 1 April 2021, reimbursement is provided via a virtual wallet (personal budget).
What does this mean for you?
- You will receive a personal budget to use for purchasing stoma supplies
- You will need a doctor’s prescription, which you will receive on discharge
- You collect your stoma supplies from an authorised bandagist
- The health insurance fund pays the bandagist directly
- You usually do not have to pay anything yourself, as long as you stay within your budget
Further information
- During the first 3 months, you’ll be allocated a higher budget (learning phase)
- Your budget is adjusted to suit your personal needs
- You can obtain supplies for a maximum of 3 months per delivery
Everyone must now use the third-party payment system. Bandagist services or pharmacies from whom you collect the material will be reimbursed by the health insurance fund. You only have to pay for products that are not covered by the reimbursement scheme.
Some hospitalisation insurance policies provide subsidies for the first three months following the operation. Self-employed people who are only insured for major risks do not receive a reimbursement from health insurance. In that case, please contact your social worker.