Disclosure Information

The information contained in the patient education section of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) website does not constitute medical advice. This information is published as a communications vehicle to inform and to educate the public about specific surgical procedures. It is not intended to take the place of a discussion with a qualified surgeon who is familiar with your situation. It is important to remember that each individual is different, and the reasons and outcomes of any operation depend upon the patient’s specific diagnosis, disease state, or other medical condition.

Important Note on the Use of This Program

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice. The ACS endeavors to provide procedure education for prospective patients and those who educate them. It is not intended to take the place of a discussion with a qualified surgeon who is familiar with your situation. The ACS makes every effort to provide information that is accurate and timely but makes no guarantee in this regard.

Ostomy Task Force

H. Randolph Bailey, MD, FACS
Colon and Rectal Surgery
The Methodist Hospital
Houston, TX

Teri Coha, APN, CWOCN
Pediatric Surgery
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Janice C. Colwell, RN, MS, CWOCN, FAAN
Ostomy Care Services
University of Chicago Medicine
Chicago, IL

John Easly
Patient Advocate
Ostomy Support Group of DuPage County
Clarendon Hills, IL

Kathleen G. Lawrence, MSN, RN, CWOCN
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN^®)
Mt. Laurel, NJ

Ann Lowry, MD, FACS
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Fairview Southdale Hospital
Minneapolis, MN

Mike McGee, MD, FACS
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Rogel Cancer Center / University of Michigan Health
Ann Arbor, MI

Marletta Reynolds, MD, FACS
Pediatric Surgery
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, IL

David Rudzin
United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc.
Northfield, MN

Nicolette Zuecca, MPA, CAE
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN^®)
Mt. Laurel, NJ

Patient Education Committee

Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC

Lenworth Jacobs Jr., MD, MPH, FACS

Jessica Burgess, MD, FACS

David Tom Cooke, MD, FACS

Jeffrey Farma, MD, FACS

Nancy Gantt, MD, FACS

Richard Shemin, MD, FACS

John H. Stewart IV, MD, FACS

Cynthia Talley, MD, FACS

Steven D. Wexner, MD, PhD (Hon), FACS, FRCS (Eng,Ed), Hon FRCS (I,Glasg, Eng)

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the daily care needed for a colostomy/ileostomy.
• Name the basic equipment that is used for ostomy care.
• Describe the steps for ostomy home care including: how to empty and change a pouch, how to measure and cut a pouch, and basic problem-solving skills.
• Identify how to manage common ostomy problems including: irritated and red skin, barrier not sticking, dehydration, inactive stoma, stoma bleeding, stoma prolapse, and stoma retraction.
• Describe how to manage everyday activities including bathing, exercise and traveling.

Contact

If you have any questions about this skills program, contact surgicalpatienteducation@facs.org.

If you have any technical questions, contact learning@facs.org. 

• Patients requiring a colostomy/ileostomy
• Family members/caretakers of patients requiring a colostomy/ileostomy

A Certificate of Completion/Certificate of Participation will be awarded for this course. You will find a copy stored under the "Transcript" page of your profile upon completion. 

This activity is not eligible for CME or CE credits.