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This is a guest blog post written by ostomy patient and advocate, Lois Fink.

Courage Takes Guts

After months of research and writing, my memoir to inspire and support those struggling with Crohn's disease and/or facing ostomy surgery is finally complete!

"You have Crohn's disease," the gastroenterologist pronounced, changing my life in one breath. I remember hearing those four paralyzing words said to me fifty years ago as if it was yesterday. I was seventeen and had been telling my parents and numerous doctors for nearly two years that something was terribly wrong, but no one listened.

I remember angrily asking my dad, "Why me?" He replied, "I don't know. Perhaps later in life you will meet someone and because of what you are going through now, you'll know what to say and how to help." It would take years before I fully understood the power of his words.

For the next nineteen years, Crohn's disease relentlessly scarred and narrowed my colon, leaving a trail of bowel incontinence, pain, fatigue, embarrassment and shame. Thirty years ago, ostomy surgery gave me back everything the disease had taken away: an active and rewarding life.

I wrote Courage Takes Guts as a way to share my battle with Crohn's disease, to illustrate how full and active my life is as a result of ostomy surgery and to share my father's words. This book is for patients, family members, friends, caregivers, as well as gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons and certified wound, ostomy and continence (WOC) nurses. No one has to suffer in silence because of a bowel disease or ostomy surgery. I want to share the life lessons I learned after losing my colon, and share how Crohn's disease and ostomy surgery offered me opportunities for personal growth when I chose to change how I viewed my situation.

This memoir has been self-funded to this point. Self-publishing is exciting but not easy. Writing, illustrating and distributing isn't accomplished in a vacuum, but rather with a team approach. A strong game plan is in place. I just need the financial “chutzpah” to accomplish everything. It will be warp speed ahead (I’m a Trekkie) to the next part of this gutsy journey - getting Courage Takes Guts published, seeing it in print, seeing it on Amazon and seeing it in the hands of those struggling with Crohn's disease and/or ostomy surgery, as well as their friends, family members, caregivers, nurses and doctors.

If you wish to help me honor my father’s words of wisdom, while inspiring others, click here. Your support will help me to continue the editing and proofing process, work with an amazing graphic designer, print at least 100 books and properly publicize the memoir. If you wish to contact me, please do so via email at fink.lois@gmail.com.

Society member Joanna Burgess, BSN, RN, CWOCN, shared her experience about growing up as an ostomate and her contribution to the members-only document, Pediatric Ostomy Complications: Best Practice for Clinicians.

You can read Joanna's story below, and if you have a story you would like to share please email us at share@wocn.org.

Almost a decade ago, as a wound, ostomy and continence (WOC) student at Emory University, I was mentored by Michelle Rice, MSN, RN, CWOCN, a clinician at Duke University Medical Center. I remember being intrigued by the unique needs of the pediatric population, in particular, the neonates; some of which had multiple stomas from necrotizing enterocolitis. Michelle’s unique knowledge on how to handle the delicate neonate population came from years of experience and the dedication to assisting new parents with the physical and emotional needs of caring for an infant or child with an ostomy. Therefore, it was an honor to work with Michelle and other well respected wound, ostomy and continence nurses who have specialties in pediatric ostomy care to create the WOCN® Society’s members-only document, Pediatric Ostomy Complications: Best Practice for Clinicians.

Working with the WOCN Society’s Pediatric Ostomy Task Force of the Ostomy Committee and collaborating on the Pediatric Ostomy Complications: Best Practice for Clinicians was a personal experience for me and an undertaking that I dedicate to my father, who was the primary caregiver of my ostomy in my growing years. In Boston 1965, when I was just three years old, something that was suspected to be a simple urinary tract infection quickly turned into a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder. My original surgical treatment was a cystectomy and creation of ureterosigmoidostomy, generically known as a “wet bladder.” However, due to multiple kidney infections I experienced from the procedure, the creation of an ileal conduit quickly followed. All of this occurred during a period of time when there was no ostomy nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital to teach and support my family, and there was no access to online resources.

My father’s recollection of the experience was that the nurses seemed frightened to care for me. He remembers being handed a brown paper bag containing a few ostomy supplies at the time of my hospital discharge. He recalls returning home and fumbling through the packaging of an unassembled seven-piece pouching system. Through trial and error, he eventually mastered how to assemble the pouch, but he couldn’t figure how to keep it on me! To his relief, the packaging contained the phone number for the ostomy supply company Torbot, located in Rhode Island. My father and I quickly made the four hour trip from Boston to Rhode Island and met with the founder of Torbot, an ostomate, who showed my father how to care for my urostomy. My father was so overwhelmed with finding a confidant in the ostomy world, he even bought me a lifetime supply of products “just in case they ever stopped making them.”

Growing up with an ostomy became a part of my life, it seemed normal and was all I ever really knew. The only problem I can remember was an occasional itchy skin condition, sometimes causing me to scratch to the point of bleeding. This bleeding incident happened once in the first grade, and I remember my teacher was terrified as she scooped me up in her arms and ran down the hall to the school nurse. There was no doubt the problem with my skin came from the layers of bonding cement that was used to keep my ostomy pouch in place. The only remedy then was to apply karaya powder to the skin, which stung and was painful. There were also metal clips on my ostomy belt that would dig into my sides, but I learned to live with the fear that without the belt my pouch would leak or fall off. Despite these few irritations, I don’t remember feeling limited because of my ostomy. I continued to do the things I loved, such as swimming and dancing.

I had close friends who knew about the secret that I wore under my clothes. I remember my mother would coach me on how to discreetly change my clothes at slumber parties so no one would notice my pouch. This skill served me well in my later years of junior high and high school gym classes, where I was expected to change clothes in front of other young women in the locker room. I admit, I did feel very alone. I remember wishing and longing to know someone like me – someone else who wore an ostomy pouch. Since childhood, I have connected with several adults who also grew up with an ostomy and were treated during my era. That feeling of being alone would have been greatly alleviated, for both my family and I, had us ostomates known how to connect with one another.

Thank goodness we now know today how the times would change; how ostomy nursing would become a career that would involve not only care of the patient’s ostomy, but ongoing education in building confidence and independence with self-care and emotional support. We now know that products would go through many changes and improvements and that product development would be an ongoing process by dedicated companies and researchers.

Today, we have much more knowledge concerning the care of the pediatric patient and have many more products available to ease the challenges that face this population. As an ostomy patient and ostomy nurse, I currently share my story across the country. I am continually reminded of the need to reach out to families who have children living with an ostomy and connect them to the resources they need to aid the emotional and physical aspects of ostomy care. I am also reminded that we need more ostomy nurses caring for the pediatric population. These families sometimes search for weeks, months or even years looking for help.

In creating the Pediatric Ostomy Complications: Best Practice for Clinicians document, it is the hope of the WOCN Society Pediatric Ostomy Task Force that these best practices will give ostomy nurses, and any nurse who works with pediatric ostomies, the confidence needed to take on the challenges the pediatric population faces, from stoma to peristomal complications. When nurses feel empowered, parents will ultimately feel empowered to take on the responsibility of their child’s care with greater ease. The WOCN Society looks forward to hearing your comments about the Pediatric Ostomy Complications: Best Practice for Clinicians document, and encourage you to keep track of your own personal stories and suggestions as the WOC community continues to strive for success for the pediatric ostomate.

Joanna Burgess, BSN, RN, CWOCN is a full scope practicing Wound, Ostomy and Continence nurse at WakeMed Health and Hospitals acute care center in North Carolina. Joanna’s passion for ostomy care stems from her 50-year journey as an ostomate, after being diagnosed with bladder cancer at the age of three. Joanna’s contributions to the WOC practice include serving on the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Society™ (WOCN®) national Ostomy Committee for three years and contributed to the Wound Care Core Curriculum Textbook, in which she wrote on the topic of lymphedema. Joanna is the 2011 Great Comebacks® award recipient and has shared her story on a state, national and international level. She is a board member for the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. and she is the 2016 South East Regional WOC nurse of the year.

DUKAL Corporation

Booth #1136

www.dukal.com

DUKAL Corporation is excited to announce the new product extension to our Eclypse® Super Absorbent Dressings! The Eclypse® Contour is specifically designed to treat highly exuding wounds in difficult to dress areas, such as the underarm, abdomen, back, lower leg, and thigh. The dressing molds to body contours, ensuring optimum contact with the wound and effective exudate management while being thin and conforming for comfort and reduced dressing changes. The Eclypse® Contour is indicated for moderate to heavily exuding wounds including leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, sloughy or granulating wounds, post-operative or dehisced wounds, fungating wounds, and donor site management.

To learn more, email Advancisinfo@dukal.com or visit us at the 2016 Joint Conference in Montreal at booth number 1136!

One Pass Ostomy Draining Device - OPODD™

Booth #456

www.opodd.com

The One Pass Ostomy Draining Device (OPODD™) is a new, innovative device that allows ostomates to drain their pouch virtually anywhere and with minimal washroom amenities.  The OPODD™ is a plastic, hand held device and is very easy to use.  The OPODD™ provides ostomates with a thorough and efficient method for emptying their pouch.

Using the OPODD™ and our patented method, this dual roller, hinged device which includes a snapping mechanism at one end, allows the user to secure the OPODD™ totally across the width of the pouch. This combined hinged and snap system permits the dual rollers to pass over the entire pouch with ease and removes up to 99% of the contents in one pass. 

The OPODD™ can be used on all major pouch brands available in North America and the EU and is FDA registered Class 1.  We have spent five years developing the OPODD™ and have researched and consulted with patients, nurses and clinicians in Canada, United States, Ireland and UK.

Since launching the OPODD™ at recent WOCN regional conferences, the comments range from “best new item to be offered to ostomates for some time” to “my patients will love this device and just how easy it is to use”.

Whether you are a patient or care-giver, the OPODD™ will quickly become your “go to” device when it comes to emptying your pouch.

For more information, view demonstration video or to order an OPODD™, please visit www.opodd.com

Jewell Nursing Solutions

Booth #721

www.jewellnursingsolutions.com

Jewell Nursing Solutions announces the first ergonomic 30 degree positioning wedge. Released in April, 2016, The "BackBone™ Turning Wedge" is the first 30 degree positioning cushion engineered specifically to provide ergonomic comfort while circumventing the spinal column. "Pressure ulcers are not the problem", says Gwen Jewell, Clinical RN II, BSN, CWS. "They are the consequence. The problem is getting the pressure off."

Gwen is the founder of Jewell Nursing Solutions, a company dedicated to the prevention of pressure ulcers. "Its no wonder sacral pressure ulcer occurrence is so high. We have to keep repositioning over and over again, hoping for different results. Between healthcare costs spiraling out of control and the exponential increase in our aging population, we can no longer afford to focus on reactive healthcare when it comes to pressure ulcers". Gwen goes on to explain that she designed the BackBone™ Turning Wedge because "We have to spend billions on pressure ulcer wound care because we spend pennies on pillows and wedges"

Gwen has spent the last 2 years developing the Backbone™ positioning wedge. "I have studied this problem from every angle (if you'll excuse the pun!) and I find that a turning wedge is not effective unless it can serve certain essential functional requirements beyond the basic 30 degree angle." Gwen explains that an effective support device must achieve lift and offload to whole spine without itself touching the spots it is intended to offload. Secondly, if the device is to stay in place, it must provide a cradle like support of both the back and hips in alignment. Ergonomically correct and even distribution of the support surface is essential because if the patient is not comfortable, not only will she have a need to shift into correct alignment and back onto her pressure points, but if she can't, she is at risk for musculoskeletal, neurological and circulatory damage. Caregiver engagement is less tangible but even more important.  The wedge has to be reliable, single piece and universally useful, or caregivers will not use it.

Finally, an effective support device must be re-useable so that it is affordable and eco-friendly. "The beauty of it is, this effective design is not complicated or expensive. To paraphrase Isaac Newton, 'Sometimes when faced with a complicated problem and multiple possible solutions, the simplest choice is usually best.'”

Visit us a booth #721 in Montreal!

Derma Sciences, Inc.

Booth #805

www.dermasciences.com

Introducing MEDIHONEY® HCS Surgical & MEDIHONEY® HCS Fenestrated Dressings

Dynamic Post-Surgical Solutions for your Patients’ Care
Ensuring your patients’ post-surgical incisions progress on to healthy healing is an essential part of their care. MEDIHONEY® HCS Surgical and MEDIHONEY® HCS Fenestrated Dressings combine the wound healing benefits of medical-grade honey with exudate management properties to offer you one versatile and dynamic dressing for your post-surgical wound care needs.

Features & Benefits

·Promotes a moisture-balanced environment optimal for wound healing1-7

·Aids in autolytic debridement and the removal of factors that can delay wound healing

·Associated with lower pH levels within the wound which has been shown to have wound healing benefits

·Provides absorption and fluid handling capability

·Transparent dressing offers visibility to the wound

·Delivers soothing, cooling effect on application

CLICK here to view our MEDIHONEY products page where you can learn more about our full line of patented products, view our list of references and place an order http://www.dermasciences.com/medihoney-products

Innovacyn, Inc.

Booth #835

www.puracynpro.com

Puracyn Plus Professional Formula Antimicrobial Hydrogel simplifies the healing process through the use of an advanced hypochlorous technology with moisturizing properties. A moist wound and skin environment facilitates autolytic debridement and is beneficial to wound management and the wound healing process. Puracyn Plus Professional Formula Antimicrobial Hydrogel has an expansive safety profile and won’t harm healthy tissues. Puracyn Plus Professional Formula Antimicrobial Hydrogel is available for reimbursement.

Features and Benefits

Puracyn Plus Professional Formula Antimicrobial Hydrogel is an FDA-cleared 510(k) product for use by healthcare professionals to treat the following types of wounds:

·Acute and dermal wounds

·Partial and full-thickness wounds

·First and second-degree burns

·Diabetic ulcers and stasis ulcers

·Stage I-IV pressure ulcers

·Surgical wounds (incisions, donor and graft sites)

·Abrasions and skin irritations

·Trauma wounds

·Various dermatoses including atopic dermatitis

Applications and Benefits

·Non-toxic and non-irritating

·Contains no steroids or antibiotics

·Contains no alcohol or iodine

·Supports reducing wound odor

·Adds moisture to dry wound beds

·Relieves itching and pain associated with dermal irritations

·Moistens and lubricates absorbent wound dressings

·Environmentally friendly—no special disposal required

Application Guidelines

·For wounds with little or no exudate

·Cleanse the wound with Puracyn Plus Professional Formula Wound Irrigation Solution

·Shake Puracyn Plus Professional Formula Antimicrobial Hydrogel well before use

·Apply Puracyn Plus Professional Formula Antimicrobial Hydrogel

·With some wounds, a wound filler may be needed to fill the cavity

·Cover wound with appropriate wound dressing that holds Puracyn Plus Professional Formula Antimicrobial Hydrogel to the wound bed

·Change dressing as ordered or when needed

Visit booth number 835 to learn how Puracyn Plus Professional Formula is changing the landscape of wound care management.

You can find more information about Innovacyn, Inc. and the Puracyn Plus Professional Formula family of products at www.puracynpro.com.

The Parthenon Company, Inc.

Booth #114

www.parthenoninc.com

The Parthenon Company has several exciting news pieces to announce!

Wound, ostomy and continence nursing education is vital to provide quality education and treatment to the thousands of individuals new and old with ostomies.  In recognition of this, the Parthenon Company is excited to announce that it will be offering a scholarship encourage nurses to further their education by earning their WOC credentials.  The details of the scholarship will be available on our website, www.parthenoninc.com and recipients will be listed there as well.  Check out website for updates and information.

Our annual catalog featuring only ostomy and wound supplies is ready and is being distributed. There have been several new product additions in the ostomy and wound product categories.  We will have copies of the 2016 issue available in Montreal at the WOCN Society & CAET Joint Conference.

Finally, we are very excited to introduce our newest product from Parthenon called, ParSORB Plus!  It does everything the original ParSORB does while also deodorizing the ostomy pouch contents!  Available as a packet or sachet as well as loose with a scoop, ParSORB Plus will gelatinize and deodorize liquid stomal output which is commonly used by people with ileostomies.

NB Products, Inc.

Booth #158

www.nascent4u.com

We are excited to be exhibiting at this year's WOCN/CAET joint conference in Montreal Booth#158. We would like to share with all of you that we are now registered with SAM and can sell to the VA/military hospitals. You can request our Line Card/Capability statement by contacting us via email info@nascent4u.com or visit our website nascent4u.com. We also would like to share with you that we are proud to have supported the United Ostomy Association of America’s 2015 Durham Ostomy 5k run to help broadening awareness about ostomies and empowering people affected by this surgery. We look forward to supporting United Ostomy Association of America’s 2016 Ostomy 5k again in 2016.

Joerns Healthcare

Booth #929

www.joerns.com

Dolphins Inspired Wound Healing Technology: Leads to Unparalleled Wound Care Outcomes

Today, wound patients’ lives are transforming thanks to injury prevention technology originally designed for marine mammals like dolphins. While transporting these specially trained animals, the U.S. Navy found that they suffered internal organ trauma and circulatory system distress due to dry transport and the shearing force of gravity. The solution was an innovative system that simulated floating in a fluid while resting on a solid surface.

Harnessing this Fluid Immersion Simulation® (FIS®), Joerns Healthcare launched the Dolphin® advanced therapeutic support surface to benefit humans, and recently unveiled the DolphinCare™ Integrated Bed System which marries the advanced wound healing technology with the evolutionary UltraCare® XT low bed frame. This combination delivers unparalleled wound care outcomes, reduces risk of injury to both the patient and the caregiver, and helps promote early patient mobility.

Improves Clinical Outcomes

The DolphinCare system’s Fluid Immersion Simulation provides state-of-the-art pressure elimination by simulating the effects of a body immersed in a fluid medium. This system automatically adjusts to a patient’s weight, surface area and repositioning providing minimal tissue deformation, and maintains near normal blood flow leading to improved tissue perfusion and wound healing. 

Improves Patient Care

FIS therapy spans the entire surface of the DolphinCare system, limiting the potential for pressure gradients due to edge effects. The UltraWide 42 inch expanded width reduces fall risk by up to 37 percent as compared to 35 inch wide beds. And the system also creates a more comfortable bed and room environment without additional climate control needs and without leading to potential insensible water loss by the patient. 

Promotes Patient Mobility and Reduces Caregiver Injury

The DolphinCare system also helps promote patient mobility while providing safety and security to the patient. It automatically positions the bed at the optimum egress height, and properly inflates the surface providing stability as the patient sits on the edge of the bed or during ingress/egress. It also provides Gravity-Assist for easier and safer patient repositioning, and its Comfort Chair functionality offers comfort, relaxation, improved circulation, and more ergonomic care by bringing the patient closer to the caregiver. 

The DolphinCare Integrated Bed System has the technology to improve and prevent wounds, reduce injury risk and help promote early patient mobility. Learn more about the DolphinCare Integrated Bed System by clicking here.

Hill-Rom

Booth #335

www.hill-rom.com

For 20+ years’ hospitals have looked to the International Pressure Ulcer Prevalence (IPUP) Survey™ as a tool to gauge their success in preventing pressure ulcers (soon to be termed “pressure injury”) and benchmark their efforts with industry peers.

The findings are astounding and truly show that focused efforts to reduce facility-acquired pressure ulcers (FAPUs) have been successful:

         ·52% decrease in FAPUs from 2005 to 2016¹

         ·42,000+ Lives Saved 2010-2014 through pressure ulcer prevention²

All of this effort has been able to reduce FAPUs to record low levels, but costs continue to be in the $11 billion range.³

The facility and caregiver need confidence that the patient support surface they select will provide the support necessary to address the patient risk factors to prevent and treat pressure ulcers.

Hill-Rom has developed a 5-Step process that guides you through the complex method of surface selection and helps ensure you have the technology needed to improve patient outcomes and reduce pressure ulcer prevalence even further.

The steps are simple to follow, with common decision points along the way:

Step 1: Determine your support application – bed, seat or overlay?

Step 2: Identify patient needs

          ·Understand there are 5 “surface related” factors to skin care and how a support                    surface addresses those risk factors

          ·Use the WOCN surface selection algorithm to identify which surface type is                            recommended with risks for moisture and mobility

           ·Determine the care setting, which may require additional surface features to                      address pulmonary complications and patient mobility

Step 3: Determine the type of surface

           ·Understand the NPUAP terms and definitions for a support surface

           ·Know how each surface type works to provide pressure injury prevention and                         treatment

           ·Determine the therapeutic benefits of other surface features like turn assist, bed                 exit alarms

Step 4: Research Surface Performance Testing Processes and Results

           ·Understand the NPUAP Support Surface Standards Initiative (S3I)

           ·Be familiar with how each test is performed and how to interpret the results

           ·Learn why pressure mapping is not an approved method of measuring surface                       performance

Step 5: Consider other surface factors

           ·Durability

           ·Cleanability

           ·Cost

           ·Warranty

           ·Service

           ·Clinical Support

Visit booth 335 or contact your local Hill-Rom representative to learn more about the “5-Steps to Choosing the Right Surface” and the 20th anniversary of the IPUP™ Survey.

_{1 – Hill-Rom International Pressure Ulcer Prevalence (IPUP) Survey™ 2005-2016.}

_{2 - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Saving Lives and Saving Money: Hospital Acquired Conditions Update. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/professionalsquality-patient-safety/pfp/interimhacrate2014.html/}

_{3 - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Pressure Ulcer Toolkit. “Are We Ready for This Change?”  Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/systems/hospital/pressureulcertoolkit/putool1.html}

Medela, Inc.

Booth #117

www.medela-healthcare.com

Medela, Inc. will be exhibiting at the 2016 WOCN and CAET Joint Conference in Montreal, Quebec June 4-8, 2016. Please visit them at Booth #117!

Stryker Corporation

Booth #629

www.stryker.com

Stryker Corporation announced the acquisition of Sage Products, LLC on April 5, 2016.  Sage develops, manufactures and distributes disposable products targeted at reducing “Never Events,” primarily in the intensive care unit and MedSurg hospital unit setting.

Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Cary, IL, Sage is a leading developer of innovative products and proprietary solutions that are designed to help improve outcomes for patients and clinicians, while maximizing efficiency and profitability for healthcare facilities. Sage’s products include solutions for oral care, skin preparation and protection, patient cleaning and hygiene, turning and positioning devices and heel care boots.

“This acquisition aligns with Stryker’s focus on offering products and services that support a mindset of prevention, specifically in the area of “Never Events” such as hospital acquired infections. Today, through our Medical division, Stryker offers products that are complementary to those produced by Sage. Sage has a 45-year history of focus on patients and caregivers that is evident in their culture and fits well with our Medical division,” said Kevin Lobo, President and CEO of Stryker Corporation.

Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and, together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better. The Company offers a diverse array of innovative products and services in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical, and Neurotechnology and Spine that help improve patient and hospital outcomes. Stryker is active in over 100 countries around the world. Please contact us for more information at www.stryker.com.