Ostomy Services

If you or someone you love needs an ostomy, a surgically-created opening to get rid of stool or urine, our team is here for you. Overlake’s Outpatient Ostomy and Stomal Therapy Ostomy nurses are certified and specially trained in ostomy management and education. Your ostomy provider works with your other doctors to ensure you have the knowledge, supplies and follow-up care that you need. Our goal is to make living with an ostomy as easy as possible.

About Ostomies

Some people with bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, severe inflammatory bowel disease and other health conditions may need an ostomy to go to the bathroom. With an ostomy, waste exits the body through a surgical opening and is collected in a removable pouch that can be emptied as needed. An ostomy may be temporary or permanent. Your nurse may talk about an ostomy and a stoma:

• An ostomy is the surgical opening where waste exits the body.
• A stoma is the end of the ureter or bowel that often has to stick out slightly through the ostomy for waste to leave the body.

Ostomy Services at Overlake

Ostomy services include:

• Pre-surgical marking and education.
• Post-operative consultation to minimize complications.
• Evaluation and management of ongoing ostomy issues fitting with hernia/prolapsed stoma, peristomal wounds, irrigation, changes of fit related to weight changes, etc.
• Dietary and fluid management assistance.
• Psychosocial and recreational support.

You may need ostomy care if you notice the following:

• The skin around the stoma is red, weepy, bleeding or has open areas.
• The skin around the stoma itches, burns, stings or has white spots.
• The stoma swells, changes color or bleeds without stopping.
• You don’t achieve a consistent pouch seal and have frequent leaking.
• The stoma sticks out more than normal or sinks below the skin.
• A stoma that separates from the surrounding skin.

Every patient receives:

• A comprehensive assessment.
• An individualized management program.
• Regular communication with the referring provider.
• Ongoing patient education.

Please Note: A physician’s referral is required for the services we provide. Services are covered by most insurance carriers, including Medicare and Medicaid. To schedule an evaluation, please have your provider fax a referral to (425) 688-5710. We will call you once the referral is received or, you may call us at (425) 688-5700, and select option 5.

Ostomy Care Resources

• United Ostomy Association of America: (800) 826-0826, uoaa.org
• Support line for Seattle Chapter of United Ostomy Association of America: (206) 748-1410