In this special episode of WOCTalk, part of the Ostomy Observations series, we explore the emotional and psychological toll of pouch system leakage with Janet Stoia-Davis, RN, CWOCN, FCN. Drawing on her clinical expertise and compassionate care approach, Janet discusses the impact leakage can have on a person’s mental health, self-esteem, and quality of life—and offers insight into how WOC nurses can provide both clinical and emotional support.
This podcast is part of the Ostomy Observations Series, a 6-part series included in the “Educating Today for Exceptional Outcomes Tomorrow” Program. Both the Ostomy Observations podcast series and the Educating Today for Exceptional Outcomes Tomorrow Program are commercially supported through an educational grant from Hollister Incorporated. For more information, visit wocn.org/exceptionaloutcomes. The WOCN® Society does not endorse or support products or services.
Resources
Click here to learn about United Ostomy Associates of America (UOAA) National Quality Ostomy Care Campaign, including the Ostomy and Continent Diversion Patient Bill of Rights,.
Click here to view a list of patient resources that the WOCN Society has curated, including services, products, and publications. You can also bookmark and/or share the following web address with your colleagues and patients: IDeserveaWOCNurse.com.
Click here to view and use the Peristomal Skin Assessment Guide for Clinicians and Consumers,. You can also bookmark and/or share the following web address with your colleagues and patients: psag.wocn.org.
Click here to learn more about Janet’s session at WOCNext® 2025, “I Have an Ostomy, Where can I go?: Challenges of Setting Up An Ostomy Clinic,.”
The WOCN Society, in collaboration with the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and the American Urological Association (AUA), developed the educational resources to assist clinicians in selecting an effective stoma site. Click here to review these resources.
If you’re a healthcare professional looking to deepen your knowledge of ostomy care, explore the joint WOCN and ASCRS Ostomy Care Management (OCM) Program—an evidence-based, online education designed to enhance care delivery and improve outcomes for individuals living with an ostomy. Click here to learn more.
Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (JWOCN®) articles referenced in this episode:
Bridging the Gap: Perceived Educational Needs in the Inpatient to Home Care Setting for the Person With a New Ostomy
Lessons Learned About Peristomal Skin Complications Secondary Analysis of the ADVOCATE Trial
Ostomy and Continent Diversion Patient Bill of Rights Research Validation of Standards of Care
Other articles referenced in this episode:
The ostomy leak impact tool: development and validation of a new patient-reported tool to measure the burden of leakage in ostomy device users
Impact of stoma leakage in everyday life: data from the Ostomy Life Study 2019
Factors impairing quality of life for people with an ostomy
About the Speaker
Janet has enjoyed 40 years in WOC Nursing. Although her early nursing career focus was critical care as a certified critical care registered nurse she certified as a CWOCN in 1985. In 1996, she embarked in a private WOC practice, first as a partnership and then as sole proprietor practicing across the continuum with a focus on ostomy care coupled with a passion for patients attaining their desirable quality of life. Janet worked in outpatient ostomy clinics serving different populations and challenges… adding a bit of spice to her practice and recently retired from patient care.
Janet lectures nationally and internationally, has published on Quality of Life of People Living with an Ostomy and co-authored both a home study course on Wound Management & Healing and an educational video on Common Perineal Skin Injuries, and. She participates in Ostomy and Incontinence Associated Dermatitis research and actively participates with WOCN and industry to move ostomy care forward. Her peers awarded her the PCR* ET Nurse of the Year Award in 1996, PCR* President’s Award in 2000 and PCR* Professional Educational Award in 2004.
*PCR stands for the Pacific Coast Region of the WOCN Society, what is now known as the Pacific Coast Chapter of the WOCN Society (or PCC for short). The WOCN Society has 11 chapters throughout the country that support WOCN members at a local level with resources, education, networking opportunities, social gatherings, timely information, and more. For additional information, please visit wocn.org/Chapters.
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.