Ostomy Information and Care Guides
Note:
Many of the documents available on this page, some in both English and Spanish, were
produced originally by the United Ostomy Association (UOA), which was the national ostomy
organization in the United States from 1962 to 2005, and was the predecessor to our organization
(UOAA). Many of the documents that originated in UOA have been revised in their content and
have been updated to include UOAA contact information. However, a few still include identifying
markings from the old UOA.
We are most grateful to the WOCN for providing four items of interest to you. WOCN - the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society - is the professional society for specialist nurses who provide expert care for people living with stomas, wounds or continence situations. You can locate a certified WOC Nurse near you at their Nurse Referral Center.
America’s Leading Ostomy Magazine
The
Phoenix is America’s leading ostomy patient magazine
providing colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy and continent diversion (J-pouch,
Kock pouch, Indiana pouch, etc.) information, management techniques, new
products and much more.
Each 72-page issue features professionally written, in-depth articles on topics new and experienced ostomy patients care about such as stories of recovery after colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy or continent diversionary surgery; ostomy care advice in Ask the Ostomy Nurse and Ask the Doctor and living a full life with an ostomy pouch (bag).
The Phoenix magazine is published quarterly – March, June, September and December. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 and two-year subscriptions are $49.95 (16.6% discount).
Your Complete Recovery From Ostomy Surgery. Learn the important steps you need to take to fully heal after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy surgery. Written by ostomy nurse Anita Prinz, RN, MSN, CWOCN. Read the complete article.
The Phoenix is the official publication of the United Ostomy Associations of America and half of each subscription directly supports the UOAA and is the main source of revenue for the national, non-profit ostomy support association.
Excerpts have been compiled from The Phoenix for new patients, by stoma type. These contain pertinent articles, Q&As and other material to inform new patients as well as introduce them to The Phoenix magazine:
- Colostomy articles for the new patient (PDF, 48 pp, 2.7 MB)
- Ileostomy articles for the new patient (PDF, 44 pp, 2.7 MB)
- Urostomy articles for the new patient (PDF, 36 pp, 2.0 MB)
- Continent Diversion articles for the new patient (PDF, 20 pp, 597 kB)
General Information
| What is an Ostomy, Pouching Systems, Psychosocial Issues |
| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
| Ostomy Supply Manufacturers & Distributors |
| Ostomate Bill of Rights |
| Ostomy Travel Tips |
| UOAA’s LIVING with an Ostomy Video |
| Ostomy Home Skills Kit
from American College of Surgeons (external link to American College of Surgeons website) |
| Swimming
and Aquatic Therapy for Ostomates (pdf, 300 kB), copied with permission from Aquatic Therapy Journal (defunct), a publication of the Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute |
Colostomy
| Colostomy Guide: | In English (24 pp, 195 kB) |
En Español (29 pp, 265 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Colostomy Facts: | In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
| Colostomy Irrigation: | In English (4 pp, 159 kB) |
N/A | Article by Debra Rooney PDF format |
| Irrigation FAQs: | In English (13 pp, 83 kB) |
N/A | PDF document |
| Colostomy: Articles for New Patients |
In English (48 pp, 2.7 MB) |
N/A | Articles from The Phoenix PDF format |
Ileostomy
| Ileostomy Guide: | In English (29 pp, 162 kB) |
En Español (30 pp, 172 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Ileostomy Facts: | In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
| Ileostomy Blockage Treatment Card: |
In English (2 pp, 68 kB) |
N/A | Reference Card, PDF |
| Ileostomy: Articles for New Patients |
In English (44 pp, 2.7 MB) |
N/A | Articles from The Phoenix PDF format |
Ileostomy – Continent alternatives
| Ileoanal Reservoir (J-Pouch) Guide: |
In English (29 pp, 389 kB) |
En Español (31 pp, 590 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Surgical Options for Bowel Diversion: |
In English (2 pp, 238 kB) |
N/A | Brochure, PDF format |
| Continent Diversion: Articles for the New Patient |
In English (20 pp, 597 kB) |
N/A | Articles from The Phoenix PDF format |
Urostomy
| Urostomy Guide: | In English (25 pp, 162 kB) |
En Español (24 pp, 118 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Urostomy Facts: | In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
| Urostomy: Articles for New Patients |
In English (36 pp, 2.0 MB) |
N/A | Articles from The Phoenix PDF format |
Urostomy – Continent alternatives
| Continent Urostomy Guide: |
In English (21 pp, 195 kB) |
En Español (25 pp, 246 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Surgical Options for Bladder Diversion: |
In English (2 pp, 228 kB) |
N/A | Brochure, PDF format |
| Continent Diversion: Articles for the New Patient |
In English (20 pp, 597 kB) |
N/A | Articles from The Phoenix PDF format |
Sexuality
| Intimacy, Sexuality and an Ostomy: |
In English (22 pp, 237 kB) |
En Español (16 pp, 91 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Sex and the Male Ostomate: |
In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
| Sex and the Female Ostomate: |
In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
| Sex and the Single Ostomate: |
In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
Diet & Nutrition
| Diet & Nutrition Guide: |
In English (21 pp, 119 kB) |
En Español (22 pp, 99 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Ostomate’s Food Reference Chart: |
In English (1 pp, 29 kB) |
N/A | Reference Card, PDF |
| Ileostomy Blockage Treatment Card: |
In English (2 pp, 68 kB) |
N/A | Reference Card, PDF |
Miscellaneous Brochures (all in PDF format)
| So You Have or Will Have an Ostomy: |
In English (2 pp, 135 kB) |
N/A |
Patient Information from WOCN (English only, all in PDF format)
| Basic Ostomy Skin Care (16 pp, 648 kB) |
| Convex Pouching Systems (6 pp, 265 kB) |
| Discharge Planning (2 pp, 68 kB) |
| Preoperative Stoma Marking (4 pp, 118 kB) |