Ostomy surgery is life altering/body altering but is also life saving. Finding a healthcare professional with specific training in ostomy care is crucial for successful patient outcomes. Resources are also available for healthcare professionals who have not had specialized training in ostomy care or who are in need of more information.
In order to achieve a desirable quality of life, a person undergoing ostomy or continent diversion surgery must have support and access to high-quality care in all healthcare settings throughout the continuum of their care. Ideally counseling and care should be provided by a trained medical professional such as a Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (WOCN), Ostomy Nurse, Ostomy Care Associate (OCA), or Ostomy Management Specialist (OMS).
Certified Ostomy Nurse Locators:
Find in your local area an Ostomy Management Specialist (OMS) through the certification program at the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy.
(Note: After selecting a state in this form, type OMS in the Search box.)
Telemedicine services:
Telemedicine ostomy services help patients receive remote care and are now offered across the country. Living in rural areas, in need of immediate consultation, those who are homebound or far away from outpatient ostomy clinics and certified ostomy nurses shouldn’t prevent ostomy patients from receiving care.
Manufacturer/Supplier services:
In addition, many manufacturers and suppliers offer personalized ostomy assistance services for both patients and healthcare professionals that can include ostomy nurse clinical support, product support assistance, educational tools and more.
Please note: UOAA does not endorse particular products, manufacturers, or suppliers, and is not responsible for any content expressed in their websites.
Contact Us
United Ostomy Associations of America
P.O. Box 525
Kennebunk, ME 04043-0525
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-826-0826.
Our Information Line hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm (Wednesday until 2pm) EST. If you have an emergency, please dial 911 or contact your local medical professional.
UOAA does not provide Medical, Mental Health, Insurance or Legal Advice.
UOAA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
Get Involved
Would you like to share your personal patient story with us, write a blog of interest to the ostomy community, or share the trusted educational resources of UOAA on your social media channels and encourage ostomates in need to reach out to local UOAA Affiliated Support Groups? If so, consider becoming a UOAA Social Media Ambassador. For more information please contact UOAA’s Communications and Outreach Manager at ed.pfueller@ostomy.org
Latest News:
Fertility, Pregnancy, IVF for Women with an OstomyJanuary 22, 2021 - 11:37 am
New Ostomates Deserve Our BestJanuary 20, 2021 - 3:25 pm
Kara O’Neil’s StoryJanuary 15, 2021 - 3:36 pm
Nurse Shares 4 Common Convex Ostomy Skin Barrier MythsJanuary 11, 2021 - 2:57 pm
Ostomy Output ChallengesDecember 11, 2020 - 1:34 pm
