Community Ostomy Education/Clinic Day

PURPOSE

Our Sacramento Valley Wound, Ostomy, Continence Practitioners Association determined there was a need for a community program to address ostomate education and provide one on one ostomy examinations.  In celebration of World Ostomy Day on October 6, 2012, we provided an opportunity for Sacramento area ostomates and families to celebrate while learning from speakers, vendors and a free ostomy clinic staffed with CWOCN volunteers.

OBJECTIVES

We wanted to provide the ostomate community with educational lectures and offer free examination and evaluation opportunities for ostomates with a CWOCN. 

We also wanted to provide an opportunity for ostomates to see the most current ostomy supplies available from various ostomy supply manufacturers while creating a venue for ostomates to share experiences in a comfortable atmosphere.

METHODOLOGY

The SVWOCPA was granted funding from the Gene Galindo Memorial Fund (Pacific Coast Region) for this Community Ostomy Education Day. Flyers were developed and distributed throughout the Sacramento Valley and the surrounding towns by our members. We advertized in the Sacramento newspaper and with the local UOAA groups. Vendors with ostomy related supplies were invited to attend. We developed an educational program including guest speakers; Randy Henniger, Great Comebacks Nominee; Dr. James Myers, Colorectal Surgeon; and John Richards, Pharmacist. CWOCN volunteers were present for examination of the clinic patients.  We provided refreshments and raffles for various products and services.

 OUTCOME & EVALUATION

There were forty-two community members attending the program and twelve were seen in the free ostomy clinic. All were given an evaluation form at the completion of the program. These were compiled and presented to our planning committee with very favorable results. We then critiqued the program in preparation for the next year’s program.