TSA Screening Cards for Ostomates and those with H...

Yesterday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved of a solution to help passengers with medical conditions such as Ostomy discreetly inform staff of their condition to avoid any potential communication issues.

These cards do not discriminate from getting screened or not; they are simply to explain your medical condition before any pat-down or screening takes place so you don’t have to shout it out loud across the room, or, not say anything and risk embarassment like this bladder cancer survivor with Urostomy.

These cards merely state that you have a medical condition that may affect the screening:

“Notification Card: I have the following health condition, disability, or medical device that may affect my screening: (Write-in). I understand that presenting this card does not exempt me from screening.”

The back of the card further reinforces that, if asked, you’re going to have to submit to a screening before you can fly:

“TSA Respects the privacy concerns of all members of the traveling public. This card allows you to describe your health condition, disability, or medical device to the TSA officer in a discreet manner. Alternate procedures which provide an equivilent level of security screening are available and can be done in private. Presenting this card does not exempt you from screening.”

Here is a PDF link where you can download the TSA medical notification cards..

Will these cards do much to help the problem? Some argue that TSA was not listening to travelers in the first place, nor are TSA familiar enough with the potential health conditions and appliances of the travlers they are searching, nor are many of our TSA agents all familiar with the use of these cards. (This is 2010, we’ve got e-mail and blogs, does the U.S. government send the memos out to anyone who works for them?)

Others believe this is a positive step towards a solution that balances both our needs for airline security and our civil liberties.

If you or a loved one has a health condition or a medical device and is asked for either a pat-down or a screening, it is in your best interest to keep one of these cards handy in your pocket when going through the airport to (hopefully) alleviate the potential problems.

Read this post for more information on Ostomy and Airport Security and this one about traveling with an Ostomy.

New Standardized Ostomy Algorithm Aims to Help Nur...

A lot of ostomy care has moved away from highly specialized staff and hospitals to non-specialized clinicians and, sometimes, home care settings. Because of this, it has become increasingly more necessary to set standards for Ostomy care where a patient’s safety and quality of life can be assured.

Enter the Ostomy Algorithm, a set of 11 assessments for non-specialist clinicians to identify the type of ostomy and to optimize care for their patients.

Recently published in the journal Ostomy Wound Management, new quantitative and qualitative results validate the new standardized algorithm for Ostomy care, making it the first guideline for ostomy care management to go through content validation.

The algorithm was developed by an expert panel of WOCN clinicians along with ConvaTec, a manufacturer and provider of Ostomy supplies and innovative technologies in the field. Part of this algorithm includes one of ConvaTec’s new medical tools for health care professionals, known as the SACS Instrument, allowing clinicians to assess and classify peristomal skin lesions as well as track their progress. (Peristomal lesions are a complication facing many ostomates.)

The study validation consisted of 166 ostomy care experts who were asked to quantify the validity of the Ostomy Algorithm’s components on a 4 point grading scale.

Overall, individual scores ranged from 3.59 - 3.91 and an overall validity index of .95 out of 1.0.

These results are well-received; while further refinements are made, it demonstrates the potential for a standardized, evidence-based method for improved Ostomy care that benefits both health care professionals and patients alike.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20101029/New-Ostomy-Algorithm-receives-support-of-nurses.aspx

Thoughts on Confidence and Dressing Up Yer Ostomy ...

Time to time…. maybe late night in bed, changing appliances, waiting for a checkup, or even when doing nothing else… your eyes flicker as your idle mind begins to wander the Seas of Self: Why do I allowing this condition to undermine my self-confidence, my well-being, my relationships?

These questions are common, especially among new Ostomates. So many individuals drudge through life without enjoying the confidence and full spectrum of experience they should, even if it’s not practical, useful, or helpful to act in such manner. And here’s a curious and rarely-asked question deviating from the less practical mindset:

Why does everything about Ostomy have to be so boring, serious and medical?

Let’s talk about Ostomy bags as a product for a minute - the logic that ostomy appliances must look and feel “medical” seems to follow the same pretentious logic that a police car looks impressive with 500 flashing lights attached to it (resulting in pointless, nightclub-esque epileptic-nightmare light shows every time they pull someone over); or anything regarding government is extra important by slapping an official-looking circular seal on it (eagles, stars, and flags, anyone?). Rarely do we ask - why are these things the way they are?

Obviously, making an ostomy pouch “look good” has zero affect it’s practical medical purposes. Making pouches “pretty” adds even more choices in the already overwhelming pool of possibilities in ostomy appliances, not to mention driving prices up while doing nothing to improve care.

But the fact is we’re people, and personal worth and aspirations in life are not always purely utilitarian like an ostomy pouch is. We like style, we like comfort, we experience a neverending buffet of feelings, thoughts, emotions in our single shot at life. And we do not want to spend the majority of our short time here focusing on the insecurities or negative feelings towards our medical condition. We desire to live life pursuing goals, influencing & improving on the lives of others. And when you focus on the bigger picture and away from the self you begin to explore what you are truly capable of! What does it take to pick yourself up off the floor, recover confidence, and/or start doing the things you keep telling yourself you’ll do?

Ostomy pouch covers have helped many Ostomates with both practical needs as well as their personal mindset of having an Ostomy. Something as simple as a pouch cover worn over an Ostomy appliance helps boost confidence by concealing the appearance of the Ostomy collection pouch and eases the tension many feel during, say, intimate encounters. Ostomy pouch covers also serve many practical purposes, for instance, the soft cotton fabrics eliminate the uncomfortable “plastic” feeling of the pouch that generates heat and sweat or irritates the skin. They can also help support the weight of the appliance as the bag begins to fill and keep clips tucked away with drainable collection pouches.

And, with those practical uses aside, an ostomate may choose to use a pouch cover for the same reason someone wears a hat, buys a nice watch, or why kids like to color casts on healing bones - it takes a lighter tone to one’s more serious condition, and many times it simply looks nicer. So no, your ostomy pouch doesn’t have to look medical. And if this helps you feel better about yourself, your activities, and your life style, by all means wear it and wear it proudly. Express yourself freely and without shame or fear.

You should.

Always.

You can find Ostomy Pouch Covers in sets of 6 on STLMedical.com.

Nadine Coyle from Girls Aloud Stands Up to the Neg...

After all the controversy in the Ostomy community from the conclusion of Grey’s Anatomy, someone far different in the Entertainment industry has popped up on the radar about Ostomy.

“Girls Aloud” is something I’ve never heard of before, but it’s an English/Irish girl band who formed on a British TV show called Popstars: The Rivals, which doesn’t seem too far different from “American Idol”.

One of their singers, Nadine Coyle, has a unique connection to Ostomy, and she intends to do something to combat the negative stigma surrounding Ostomy surgery, and the life-changing decisions involved with choosing to have Ostomy surgery.

According to the BBC article, Nadine’s close friend, a hair stylist, had Ostomy surgery in January, bring the negative stigma of the surgery to her attention.

Nadine has teamed up with Vanilla Blush, founded by Ostomate Nicola Dames who designs and models lingerie for women with stomas. Vanilla Blush aims to end the negative stigmas that women with ostomy surgery can’t be sexy or comfortable in their own skin! A quote from Nadine sums it up:

“I was amazed at the negative connotations that surrounds people with a stoma and also shocked at the lack of exposure in the mainstream media. This is one taboo which I am right on board in helping to smash.”

Nadine will be a celebrity spokesperson for Vanilla Blush and will appear in a nursing conference in Arizona. Here is her Twitter page.

Convatec’s Newest Ostomy Product Eliminates Pouche...

UPDATE 6/11/2010! Convatec’s Vitala has won a Gold Award for Medical Design Excellence at the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East Conference and Exposition.

Vitala, a new disposable colostomy control device for ostomates, provides an integrated filter that works with Convatec’s skin barriers that seals the stoma safely shut, keeping the stool inside up to 8 hours while still allowing air and gas to release through a deodorizing filter built into the waterproof device.

To make removal and changing easy, the device has a built-in expandable container that makes changing easier without risks of leaks and odors.

Obviously, this device is far more low-profile and less noisy than an ostomy pouch, and clinical trials show that the new Vitala device can be used safely up to 8 hours for patients that have had surgery at least 6-12 weeks prior.

The Convatec Ostomy Vitala device is already available in some Eurpoean countries and will be demonstrated in the United States on June 12-16, 2010 at the WOCN/WCET Joint Meeting in Phoeniz, AZ. It should be available to U.S. patients likely around Fall of 2010.

Update: The Vitala Device has also just won a 2010 Medical Design Excellent Award