Ostomy Services

What Are Ostomy Services?

An ostomy is a surgery that creates an opening, known as a stoma, on the abdomen to allow waste to leave the body. It may be needed when the digestive or urinary system can’t function normally due to disease, injury, or other health conditions.

UR Medicine Ostomy Services provides comprehensive ostomy care. Our holistic approach meets each patient’s physical, social, and psychological needs. We also collaborate with referring physicians to help ensure the most positive outcomes for the patients we treat.

UR Medicine's Approach

Ostomy Services offers expert care, education, and support. We provide a full range of services for patients with a stoma (colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy), as well as fistula and tube stabilization management.

Preoperative Services

We offer the following expert preoperative services before your ostomy surgery.

Counseling

Basic ostomy education and answers to questions such as surgical procedures, living with a stoma, pre- and post-op diets, plans for returning to work, etc.
Familiarize patients and their families with various types of ostomy appliances and supplies that are available.
Assist patients in selecting a reliable pouching system/appliance, keeping their personal needs and choices in mind.

Stoma Site Marking(s)

A preoperative assessment of the abdomen is performed to determine the best location for stoma placement (more than one site may be marked).
Proper stoma placement helps patients avoid post-op wounds and skin complications caused by leakage.

Postoperative Services

We offer the following expert postoperative services after your ostomy surgery.

Education on Stoma Management

Instructions on self-care, proper hygiene, and how to maintain skin health.
Instructions on proper stoma care to help prevent common problems from occurring.
Care coordination and management.
Determine if the pouching system is adequate and obtain a new appliance if it needs to be updated.
Assess clothing and provide recommendations if needed for undergarments, support belts, etc.
Arrange for a home health agency visit before discharge and work in conjunction with this agency’s care and staff for a seamless continuum of care.

Problem Solving & Ongoing Support

Aid with pouching system failures, such as leaks.
Refit pouching system to provide proper seal and optimum comfort as needed.
Assist with short-term care and/or long-term management.
Assist with lifestyle changes, help alleviate anxieties associated with the ostomy, and provide support as needed.

What Sets Us Apart?

Our colorectal surgeons see a wide variety of conditions—from the simple to the serious—every day. As a result, we have a greater depth of experience than most colorectal surgeons, especially in handling complex or difficult cases. Our surgeons are all board-certified and have published hundreds of papers on colorectal disease and its treatments. They are at the forefront of their field and are regularly invited to speak and teach around the world.

As part of the only academic medical center in the region, we’re highly involved in research and clinical trials. This means you will have the most advanced treatments available to you, often years before they become widely available. For cancer cases, our medical oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and other experts come together weekly to reach a consensus on the best treatment for you.