Abstract
Patients with a stoma experience moderate anxiety and significant concerns at discharge; if left unaddressed, patients may be prematurely discharged with high anxiety. Healthcare providers should pay attention to at-risk patients: those with permanent stomas, who have undergone colorectal cancer surgery, who are single, who believe their stoma care self-efficacy is insufficient, and who primarily rely on others for stoma care. Clinicians should assess anxiety levels and concerns of stoma patients before discharge and refer patients for psychological counseling as needed.