Columbia Surgical Associates (CSA) is home to Columbia’s only outpatient ostomy clinic. We are here to help you prepare for ostomy surgery and help with concerns or issues after your surgery.
CSA offers education and support services aimed at improving quality of life for patients who have had or are going to have ostomy surgery, with the ultimate goal of helping you become independent in your care and successfully adapting to life with an ostomy.
CSA ostomy clinic strives to meet the psychological, spiritual, social and physical needs of patients and patients’ support systems. Ostomates will have a professional, comprehensive, and genuine experience when visiting CSA for their ostomy care.
Types of Patients
Patients with new or existing colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy and patients scheduled to have a surgical procedure for temporary or permanent ostomy.
Services
Pre-Operative Services:
- Basic ostomy education and care
- Counseling on what to expect with a new ostomy
- Introduction to pouching systems/appliances and supplies
- Stoma site marking- a preoperative assessment of the abdomen is performed to determine the best location for stoma placement. Proper stoma placement can help patients avoid post-operative wound and skin complications
Post-Operative Services:
- Stoma management- instructed on self-care, education on prevention of common problems
- Long term access to a certified ostomy care nurse (COCN) specialist
- Care coordination and management for patients with an ostomy
- Re-evaluation of appliance for continued reliability and comfort
- How to obtain supplies
- Treatment of stoma and peristomal skin complications- rashes, wounds, irritation
- Leaking issues
- Care recommendations for stomal prolapses, stomal retraction, peristomal hernias
- Custom support belt fitting for hernia prevention and management
- Counseling on lifestyle adjustments (diet, clothing, bathing, odor and flatus control, resumption of activities and lifestyle, sexual function and intimacy)
- Ensure that the patient is coping with lifestyle changes, alleviate anxieties associated with an ostomy, provide support
Insurance
Most insurance plans cover ostomy services. We recommend checking with your insurance provider. Learn more about insurances we accept.