New Nurse on the Forum: Sharing and Learning from Global Ostomy Care

This forum popped up on my email, got interested, began reading the posts.    I have learned so much from you guys as I do from my own patients!   I appreciate everyones honesty and hints.  It's very cool to see what people are using from different parts of the world.  I'd never heard of inside liners for the pouches, and it sent me on an internet quest to find out!



I'll check in from time to time and try to help; I think I am getting more out of it from you guys though!  I've been a wound, ostomy continence nurse for the last 17 years, and an RN for 31 years.   The longer I practice, the more I find I don't know!  There are common problems and concerns for all ostomates but still find something new and unusual.



I like to learn and share; you guys are very helpful!  I usually have anywhere from 6-12 new ostomates a month in my practice.  I did some home care in the past, but now it is mostly acute care and clinic pre and post operative.  I figure I've seen several thousand ostomies in my career, but can still get stumped.



A lot of answers you will see me referring you to your doctor, since I am not looking at you, don't know your history, etc.  it can make for generalized answers.  Different parts of the world have different products, procedures also.



Suggestions for any ostomate:  Hook up with your ET/ostomy nurse. (We are called all these different things nowdays...politics even in the stoma world  

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)  Some physicians have little/no experience with ostomies and their management or don't want to deal with them.    Some physicians are terrific.  Your ET/ostomy RN can be helpful in getting the direct route to who is going to help you.



Thanks for your guys tips....bless you all.

well, i`m sure i speak for most here... a big thanks for 31 yrs of service to those in need.  we are delighted to have you.
might i ask are you in the usa or??? there are so many countries represented here. i also wonder at times about what percent of the population we osties are?? do you have an idea??

Hi Whoa, I'm with Mr Mild, welcome and anyone who can do your job,has my respect.In all my yrs as a patient....the nurses were the ones you turned to.And I like your way of thinking about getting lots of handy info from a bunch such as us.We,(I) might bi***h and moan a bit,lol..but I for one like to share what I have learnt in the hopes it will help.As my first ever stoma nurse said once,"Even though we work with this all the time, we cant know exactly what your going through...and I am still learning that what works for one,might not work with the other.So its still a lot of trial and error for us both." My first thought was,"OH My God! Thinking I was in for a rough trot.But, she knew what she was doing ok...She was a gem.I asked her one day,Whats make someone do a job like this?She said,"A day is never the same...and a patient and their problem is never the same...it keeps you on your toes." Little does she know how much I appreciated her honesty.

  This site has taught me lots and has kept me company for a while too, and I also would like to know if anyone has an idea of the population of all ostomates.I was running a support group here,but because ostomates like to keep it all hush-hush...it slowly went down the drain.I do know there is getting more and more of us here as each year goes by..Good luck with things and take care Whoa.......cheers Tarababy 8)Ps, awe gee, I seem to have collected a tail-end......following me everywhere...lmao

Hey, thanks for the welcome.   I am in the USA.  



Not sure of world wide ostomy stats....in the USA literature varies, but roughly 1 million people in the USA.  Our population is somewhere in the 300 millions.  Not sure how they get their stats.



Know one knows it all, doctors or nurses.   I  do internet searches, call  my colleagues when needed.   ET nurse friend of mine has been at this almost 40 years....even she hasn't seen it all!  I like solving the puzzle....and meeting new people from all walks of life.  I like the autonomy in my job.  It never gets boring!



There are basic principles of ostomy care.....but you folks are a wealth of information on day to day practical advice , product trials (guinea pigs??

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), giving other people support.   I don't have an ostomy myself.   I learn from what you/my patients tell me what works/doesn't work.



This is a neat place since people from all over.  Even in the USA between regions products and practices differ a bit.