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What is an Ostomy
Where to find local help
Ostomy Resources
Who is an ostomate
Men and women, rich and poor, all races, creeds and colors. No one is exempt from a new born babe to the very elderly. Some have felt alone with their ostomy, apart from the rest of the world. Nothing could be farther from the truth since there are over one million ostomates in the United States and Canada alone. And our numbers are increasing at an annual rate of more than a hundred thousand. When we add the millions living in other parts of the world, we find that we are far from being alone.
What is ostomy surgery
Ostomy surgery is a life-saving procedure that allows bodily waste to pass through a surgically created stoma on the abdomen into a prosthetic known as a ‘pouch’ or ‘ostomy bag’ on the outside of the body or an internal surgically created pouch for continent diversion surgeries. An ostomy may be necessary due to birth defects, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, incontinence and many other medical conditions. They are also necessary in cases of severe abdominal or pelvic trauma resulting from accidents or from injuries sustained during military service. Ostomy or continent diversion surgery can occur at any age and does not lower life expectancy but is the start of a “new normal” life.
Colostomy / Ileostomy
Colostomy
The surgically created opening of the colon (large intestine) which results in a stoma. A colostomy is created when a portion of the colon or the rectum is removed and the remaining colon is brought to the abdominal wall. It may further be defined by the portion of the colon involved and/or its permanence.
Ileostomy
A surgically created opening from the ileum, the lowest part of the small intestine. The intestine is brought through the abdominal wall to form a stoma. Ileostomies may be temporary or permanent, and may involve removal of all or part of the colon.
Urostomy
This is a general term for a surgical procedure which diverts urine away from a diseased or defective bladder. The ileal or cecal conduit procedures are the most common urostomies. Either a section at the end of the small bowel (ileum) or at the beginning of the large intestine (cecum) is surgically removed and relocated as a passageway (conduit) for urine to pass from the kidneys to the outside of the body through a stoma. It may include removal of the diseased bladder.
For more details on ostomy types please see the resources on the UOAA website.
Southern Arizona Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses
Specialized nurses trained to care for those with Ostomies
Banner - University Medical Center, Tucson
Banner Medical Center has an Out-patient Ostomy Clinic
1891 W Orange Grove Rd
Tucson, AZ 85704
Tuesday 9:00 am - Noon
Call 520-694-8888 for an appointment with Patti
Banner UMC WOCN Nurses
Kathy Mehaffey, Inpatient
Victoria Thacker, Inpatient
Deanna Merrill (Pediatrics) Inpatient
Patti Anderson, Out-Patient
Susie Bohnenkamp (Clinical Nurse)
Banner - University Medical Center, South Campus
Banner Medical Center has an Out-patient Ostomy Clinic
1891 W Orange Grove Rd
Tucson, AZ 85704
Tuesday 9:00 am - Noon
Call 520-694-8888 for an appointment with Patti
Banner South Campus WOCN Nurses
Tonda Franklin 520-874-2424
Tucson Medical Center
Tucson Medical Center Outpatient Ostomy Clinic
At the TMC Vascular and Urodynamics Lab
Appointments available Tuesday through Friday For Appointments call: Centralized Scheduling at 520-324-2075
A referral from your physician is required. Request for "ostomy evaluation and treatment." Please request for at least 6 visits.
TMC WOCN Nurses
Ashlee Garcia
Emma Calvillo
Lourdes Leon
Ryan Holt
Anna Braden (outpatient Hospice ) 520-324-5624
Nicey Commack (hospice)
Northwest Medical Center
Northwest Medical Center Outpatient Ostomy Clinic
6130 N La Cholla Blvd Suite 111
Tucson, AZ 85741
Clinic number: 520 469-8879
For Appointments have your physician FAX a referral to 520-469-8807
A referral from your physician is required. Request for "ostomy evaluation and treatment." Please request for at least 6 visits.