Summary of best practice recommendations for management of enterocutaneous fistulae from the Canadian Association for Enterostomal Therapy ECF Best Practice Recommendations Panel

Abstract

These recommendations are a comprehensive resource summarizing the current literature that supports the care of the person with an enterocutaneous fistula (ECF). They are the result of the decision of the Canadian Association for Enterostomal Therapy to provide an open-source guide to clinicians in the care of the person with ECF. It is intended as a tool for nurses to assist in decision making and priority setting when developing individualized care plans. It is not intended to be a clinical practice guideline but, like its progenitor the Canadian Association for Wound Care: Best Practice Recommendations for Wound Care, it is a distillation of existing research, expert opinion, and case studies intended to enable clinicians to determine their clinical practice based on the best available evidence. It is a living document and as such it is expected that having identified the gaps in knowledge and practice, clinicians will begin the research and publications necessary to fill in these gaps. Contributions to this body of knowledge are essential to an evolving improvement in care for patients living with ECF.