An ostomy is a surgically created opening in the abdomen used to pass urine or stool from the body. Over a hundred thousand ostomy surgeries are performed each year, for a variety of reasons, from birth defects to cancer to bowel disease. Now, North Bay ostomy patients can get the specialized care they need at MarinHealth’s new Ostomy Clinic.
In this podcast, MarinHealth certified ostomy wound nurses Alice Basch and Jean Wize, supervisor of Wound Ostomy Services, tell us about the new clinic. Basch and Wize also discuss advances in ostomy care that make it easier for people to adjust to their procedure and lead normal, active lives.
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Ostomies
Featured Speakers:
Jean Wize RN, BSN, CWON graduated from Dominican University of California School of Nursing. Jean started her career at MarinHealth Medical Center in 1999 with a cardiac care focus. She has always been interested in wound care and in 2019 she transitioned to wound and ostomy care.
Alice Basch | Jean Wize, BSN, RN, CWON
Alice Basch RN, MSN, CWON been working as a Wound/Ostomy nurse since 1975 and received her RN, MSN from Yale University in 1980, with a specialty in Oncology. She has worked in a variety of settings, including home care, outpatient clinic, rural health and acute care. She began working at MarinHealth in 2005 as the first Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse at the facility.Jean Wize RN, BSN, CWON graduated from Dominican University of California School of Nursing. Jean started her career at MarinHealth Medical Center in 1999 with a cardiac care focus. She has always been interested in wound care and in 2019 she transitioned to wound and ostomy care.
Transcription:
Ostomies
Bill Klaproth: For years, ostomy care was an unmet need in the North Bay and patients had no choice but to drive to the city for treatment. The MarinHealth ostomy clinic was founded to enable patients to receive essential care close to home. The clinic is an outpatient service at MarinHealth Medical Center available to all patients in the community. So let's learn more with Jean Wize, a certified ostomy wound nurse and supervisor of the wound ostomy services at Marin Health, and Alice Basch, a certified ostomy wound nurse and ostomy care specialist at MarinHealth. This is the healing podcast from MarinHealth. I'm Bill Klaproth. Jean and Alice, thank you so much for your time, Jean, let's start with you. I understand you're both involved with the new MarinHealth ostomy clinic. Jean can you tell us about that?
Jean Wize: Sure. I'd love to. So few years ago, Alice and her coworker Ellen proposed an ostomy clinic for our population here in Marin County. Alice has been an ostomy nurse since the 1970s, and she saw that there was a need in Marin County for a clinic to care for our patients who have surgeries, for ostomies, as well as other issues related to the ostomies. We were lucky enough to have the backing of doctors Stall and Dr. Minnis, two of our surgeons here at the hospital for the ostomy clinic. And we were successful in opening the clinic in spring of 2020. And we've seen our first few patients and it's been very rewarding.
Host: And Jean, this is the only ostomies clinic in Marine County. Is that correct?
Jean Wize: Correct. So from San Francisco to Santa Rosa, you don't have an ostomy clinic to serve that population. You either have to go across the Bay or all the way to Santa Rosa. So there's definitely a need here in Marin County.
Host: And then Alice, can you tell us what an ostomy is?
Alice Basch: An ostomy is a surgically created opening in the abdomen and it's for either urine or stool.
Host: And when it comes to getting an ostomy, is this procedure appropriate for all ages?
Alice: Yes. I've taken care of everything from a newborn to somebody in there, one hundreds. so it can be performed on any age patient.
Host: So Jean, once you get an ostomy, is this procedure temporary or permanent?
Jean: It can be temporary or permanent. It might be necessary to have an autonomy from a birth defect or cancer or inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulitis. There are lots of medical conditions that can be treated with an ostomy and in some cases, the ostomy can be reversed. So temporary.
Host: So with advances, you wouldn't know if someone had this procedure and is living with an ostomy bag.
Jean: All the bags are now designed to be odor proof. And no one can tell that it's there. No one can smell it and they can't really see it. Both Jean and I hopefully meet with patients before surgery, to work with them, with their body habits and where their waistlines are and how they wear their clothing to help pick a site that works the best for that patient so they can wear normal clothing and not have it noticed by other people. And it's their choice to tell people if they have an ostomy or not.
Host: Yeah. So Alice, I gotta imagine that's gotta be very comforting for someone when this is hidden underneath their clothing.
Alice: Yes. It's very, disturbing to people to think that somebody can smell them or see what's going on. And it's very reassuring when they, know that doesn't occur.
Host: Right. And then Alice, what medical or health situations might require an ostomy?
Alice: Well, as Jean said, it can be from a birth defect. The most common reason is either diverticulitis or cancer, either of the bowel or the bladder and with younger people, it's usually colitis, either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Most common reasons for somebody younger to have an ostomy.
Host: And then Jean, it sounds like this life saving procedure can help people resume their lives. Is that right? And can you tell us what type of restrictions are on the person after the procedure?
Jean: Yeah, there really aren't any restrictions, we really just encourage everyone to get back to their baseline. You can resume your activities. You can work, you can swim, whatever sports you might be interested in. there really is no limitation. And as soon as you've recovered from your surgery, and your doctor clears you to resume your activities we encourage everybody to regain their confidence and just live a fulfilled life. And I have to say in my career, I've had people in all walks of life. I've had firemen, policemen, teachers. A rodeo rider. I've had modern dance people who've gone on to continue to dance. I've had everybody in every walk of life and they've all been able to resume their activities. And I always say, it's you, do what you want to do. You can do it no matter what.
Host:Not hindering someone's lifestyle is so important. And Jean, there are over a hundred thousand estimate surgeries performed every year. I understand.
Jean: That's true. And, you know, according to the United ostomies association of America, they're a really great resource for ostomy patients. And we have a golden gate chapter here in Marin County that serves our local population. their estimate is between 500,700 50,000 people have ostomies in the United States and about a hundred to 120,000. Patients have surgery for various different types of ostomies. And just to go back to the question that you and Alice were speaking of before, as far as regaining activities and elaborating on that, when a patient is trying to adjust to their new lifestyle, it's really the support groups like the golden gate chapter. They're just a wealth of knowledge and support and for the community members and for patients to go to a meeting once a month, or even once every three months, and to sit with other patients who have these procedures and ostomies, and to share their experiences. It really does a lot for their self acceptance.
Host: And then Alice, let's just talk about support and care. A little bit more people who have had an osteotomy can come to the clinic, right. For support and followup care.
Yes, that's correct. No question is too little for us to answer. So sometimes they'll contact us by phone and then we'll determine whether we would want to see them in person. But if they just need some emotional support, we're more than happy to help them or coming up with ideas on how to travel or where to get supplies or if they're having some sort of issue they'd like the pouch to stay on longer or, they're having some skin issues so whatever their reason is, we're more than happy to see them.
Host: And Jean, how does someone get referred to your clinic?
Jean: So usually it's through their physician. we've also had patients who used to be in other facilities like Kaiser and other medical centers and their insurance has changed and they no longer can go to that clinic. So they'll find us either on the internet or through the support group or through their new doctor. So there's various methods of finding us, but we're really trying to get the word out and letting all the physicians in the area know that we have this service to provide.
Host: And it is a fabulous service Jean and Alice. Thank you so much for your time today. We appreciate it. Thank you.
That's Jean Wize and Alice Basch. For more information, please visit my MarinHealth.org. And if you found this podcast helpful, please share it on your social channels and check out the full podcast library for topics of interest to you.
This is the healing podcast brought to you by MarinHealth. I'm Bill Klaproth. Thanks for listening.
Ostomies
Bill Klaproth: For years, ostomy care was an unmet need in the North Bay and patients had no choice but to drive to the city for treatment. The MarinHealth ostomy clinic was founded to enable patients to receive essential care close to home. The clinic is an outpatient service at MarinHealth Medical Center available to all patients in the community. So let's learn more with Jean Wize, a certified ostomy wound nurse and supervisor of the wound ostomy services at Marin Health, and Alice Basch, a certified ostomy wound nurse and ostomy care specialist at MarinHealth. This is the healing podcast from MarinHealth. I'm Bill Klaproth. Jean and Alice, thank you so much for your time, Jean, let's start with you. I understand you're both involved with the new MarinHealth ostomy clinic. Jean can you tell us about that?
Jean Wize: Sure. I'd love to. So few years ago, Alice and her coworker Ellen proposed an ostomy clinic for our population here in Marin County. Alice has been an ostomy nurse since the 1970s, and she saw that there was a need in Marin County for a clinic to care for our patients who have surgeries, for ostomies, as well as other issues related to the ostomies. We were lucky enough to have the backing of doctors Stall and Dr. Minnis, two of our surgeons here at the hospital for the ostomy clinic. And we were successful in opening the clinic in spring of 2020. And we've seen our first few patients and it's been very rewarding.
Host: And Jean, this is the only ostomies clinic in Marine County. Is that correct?
Jean Wize: Correct. So from San Francisco to Santa Rosa, you don't have an ostomy clinic to serve that population. You either have to go across the Bay or all the way to Santa Rosa. So there's definitely a need here in Marin County.
Host: And then Alice, can you tell us what an ostomy is?
Alice Basch: An ostomy is a surgically created opening in the abdomen and it's for either urine or stool.
Host: And when it comes to getting an ostomy, is this procedure appropriate for all ages?
Alice: Yes. I've taken care of everything from a newborn to somebody in there, one hundreds. so it can be performed on any age patient.
Host: So Jean, once you get an ostomy, is this procedure temporary or permanent?
Jean: It can be temporary or permanent. It might be necessary to have an autonomy from a birth defect or cancer or inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulitis. There are lots of medical conditions that can be treated with an ostomy and in some cases, the ostomy can be reversed. So temporary.
Host: So with advances, you wouldn't know if someone had this procedure and is living with an ostomy bag.
Jean: All the bags are now designed to be odor proof. And no one can tell that it's there. No one can smell it and they can't really see it. Both Jean and I hopefully meet with patients before surgery, to work with them, with their body habits and where their waistlines are and how they wear their clothing to help pick a site that works the best for that patient so they can wear normal clothing and not have it noticed by other people. And it's their choice to tell people if they have an ostomy or not.
Host: Yeah. So Alice, I gotta imagine that's gotta be very comforting for someone when this is hidden underneath their clothing.
Alice: Yes. It's very, disturbing to people to think that somebody can smell them or see what's going on. And it's very reassuring when they, know that doesn't occur.
Host: Right. And then Alice, what medical or health situations might require an ostomy?
Alice: Well, as Jean said, it can be from a birth defect. The most common reason is either diverticulitis or cancer, either of the bowel or the bladder and with younger people, it's usually colitis, either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Most common reasons for somebody younger to have an ostomy.
Host: And then Jean, it sounds like this life saving procedure can help people resume their lives. Is that right? And can you tell us what type of restrictions are on the person after the procedure?
Jean: Yeah, there really aren't any restrictions, we really just encourage everyone to get back to their baseline. You can resume your activities. You can work, you can swim, whatever sports you might be interested in. there really is no limitation. And as soon as you've recovered from your surgery, and your doctor clears you to resume your activities we encourage everybody to regain their confidence and just live a fulfilled life. And I have to say in my career, I've had people in all walks of life. I've had firemen, policemen, teachers. A rodeo rider. I've had modern dance people who've gone on to continue to dance. I've had everybody in every walk of life and they've all been able to resume their activities. And I always say, it's you, do what you want to do. You can do it no matter what.
Host:Not hindering someone's lifestyle is so important. And Jean, there are over a hundred thousand estimate surgeries performed every year. I understand.
Jean: That's true. And, you know, according to the United ostomies association of America, they're a really great resource for ostomy patients. And we have a golden gate chapter here in Marin County that serves our local population. their estimate is between 500,700 50,000 people have ostomies in the United States and about a hundred to 120,000. Patients have surgery for various different types of ostomies. And just to go back to the question that you and Alice were speaking of before, as far as regaining activities and elaborating on that, when a patient is trying to adjust to their new lifestyle, it's really the support groups like the golden gate chapter. They're just a wealth of knowledge and support and for the community members and for patients to go to a meeting once a month, or even once every three months, and to sit with other patients who have these procedures and ostomies, and to share their experiences. It really does a lot for their self acceptance.
Host: And then Alice, let's just talk about support and care. A little bit more people who have had an osteotomy can come to the clinic, right. For support and followup care.
Yes, that's correct. No question is too little for us to answer. So sometimes they'll contact us by phone and then we'll determine whether we would want to see them in person. But if they just need some emotional support, we're more than happy to help them or coming up with ideas on how to travel or where to get supplies or if they're having some sort of issue they'd like the pouch to stay on longer or, they're having some skin issues so whatever their reason is, we're more than happy to see them.
Host: And Jean, how does someone get referred to your clinic?
Jean: So usually it's through their physician. we've also had patients who used to be in other facilities like Kaiser and other medical centers and their insurance has changed and they no longer can go to that clinic. So they'll find us either on the internet or through the support group or through their new doctor. So there's various methods of finding us, but we're really trying to get the word out and letting all the physicians in the area know that we have this service to provide.
Host: And it is a fabulous service Jean and Alice. Thank you so much for your time today. We appreciate it. Thank you.
That's Jean Wize and Alice Basch. For more information, please visit my MarinHealth.org. And if you found this podcast helpful, please share it on your social channels and check out the full podcast library for topics of interest to you.
This is the healing podcast brought to you by MarinHealth. I'm Bill Klaproth. Thanks for listening.