| Sumario: | Background Preserving the skin's acid mantle can help reduce the formation of peristomal skin complications (PSCs). Ostomy products should strive to address this ongoing challenge. Objective We assessed clinical outcomes and ostomy supply use associated with the use of a barrier designed with pH-buffering technology. Methods This real-world observational user evaluation recruited 440 clinicians from 11 countries to complete an evaluation for 975 ostomates before and after use of a pH-buffering barrier. Evaluations included a validated discolouration, erosion and tissue overgrowth (DET) peristomal skin assessment tool, a peristomal skin pain scale, and scales for satisfaction and likelihood of recommending the product. Ostomy resource utilisation was also recorded. Results Mean (SD) DET (n=797) and peristomal skin pain scores (n=392) decreased significantly by 1.9 (3.0, p<0.001) and 1.8 (2.6, p<0.001) points, respectively, after using the pH-buffering barrier. The proportion of patients not requiring ostomy accessories increased by 40.2%; half of patients (n=52) on topical peristomal skin medications reduced their usage. Wear times increased for 38.0% of patients (n=900). Most respondents were satisfied or highly satisfied with the barrier (88.2%, n=952) and likely or highly likely to recommend it (86.4%, n=960). Conclusions Peristomal skin health and pain levels significantly improved, barrier wear time increased, and topical peristomal skin medication and accessory use decreased after utilising the pH-buffering barrier. These findings on healthcare resource utilisation suggest the pH-buffering barrier provides benefits beyond addressing the clinical burden of an ostomy.
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