Objective To explore the efficacy of continuing care based on the Omaha system in the care of patients with colorectal cancer. Methods Two hundred and eighty colorectal cancer patients admitted to a hospital in Henan from October 2019 to October 2020 were selected for the study. A random number table was used to divide the patients into the control group and the study group

with 140 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received conventional continuing care

and patients in the study group underwent continuing care based on the Omaha system in addition. The scores of self-rating depression scale（SDS） and self-rating anxiety scale（SAS） at the time of discharge and 1 month after discharge were compared between the 2 groups; the scores of health promoting lifestyle profile（HPLP） at the time of discharge and 1 month after discharge were compared between the 2 groups. Results At discharge

there was no statistically significant difference between the SDS and SAS scores of the 2 groups（P>0.05）. At 1 month after discharge

the SDS and SAS scores of the 2 groups were lower than those at discharge and lower in the study group than in the control group

with statistically significant differences（P<0.05）. At discharge

there was no statistically significant difference between the scores for mental health

nutrition

physical activity

health responsibility

interpersonal relationship and stress management in the HPLP of the 2 groups（P>0.05）. At 1 month of discharge

the scores for mental health

nutrition

physical activity

health responsibility

interpersonal relationship and stress management in HPLP were higher in both groups than at discharge and higher in the study group than in the control group

with statistically significant differences（P<0.05）. Conclusion The application of continuing care based on the Omaha system in the care of colorectal cancer patients is effective. It improves patients’ bad mood

promotes the development of healthy behaviors

and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.