Objective:

To describe the difficulties and advantages encountered by people after undergoing an intestinal ostomy and being discharged from hospital services.

Materials and methods:

Qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study conducted at a teaching hospital. The study included people with an intestinal ostomy who were discharged within 60 days from the beginning of data collection, which occurred from March and June 2018. Data collection involved a semi-structured interview and thematic content analysis, resulting in thematic categories.

Results:

A total of 11 people participated in the study. Factors such as the delay in defining the diagnosis, difficulties in the continuity of care at home, misinformation, and fear were identified as adversities by participants. Care actions were related to the existence of a support network and hope for the reconstruction of intestinal transit.

Conclusions:

The care of people with intestinal ostomy requires planning hospital discharge, health education, strengthening care strategies that involve social support, and the involvement of health professionals for the continuity of health care at home.

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