Wound and Ostomy Care
Welcome to the Center for Advanced Wound and Ostomy Care at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. The center is located on the second floor of the medical center. Visits are by appointment only. Please call 410-427-2345 to schedule an appointment.
Each year, approximately five million Americans suffer from non-healing or chronic wounds. These chronic wounds include pressure ulcers, traumatic wounds, diabetic ulcers, non-healing surgical wounds or ulcers caused by poor circulation. Left untreated, wounds may develop infection or gangrene and can cause pain, suffering and severe damage. The Center for Advanced Wound and Ostomy Care can heal your wounds and help you get back to living your life to the fullest.
Reasons to Visit The Center
If you have concerns about one or more of the following, a visit to the center can help.
- Appliance leakage or odor
- Skin irritation
- Where to get supplies
- Clothing adaptation
- Diet and exercise
- Intimacy and pregnancy
- Changes that occur with aging
- Career/job-related issues
- Travel Information
Visits to the Center for Advanced Wound and Ostomy Care are covered by most private insurance plans and Medicare. You may require pre-authorization from the primary care physician before a visit is made. Referrals can be faxed to 410-427-2309.
What to Expect
You can be referred by your physician, nursing agency, home care agency or extended care facility to the Center for Advanced Wound and Ostomy Care. You can also contact us directly to make an appointment, however, please understand that some insurance providers will require a physician referral.
Wound Care and Education
Prior to your first appointment, you will receive some general information and a personal patient questionnaire in the mail. Please fill in as much information as you can and bring this with you to your appointment. You will also need to bring a list of current medications, past and present wound care products, as well as insurance cards and necessary referrals.
Our staff of physicians and board-certified wound care nurses will perform a thorough assessment of your wound and teach you how to manage your care. The most important person on our health care team is YOU, the patient. Following wound care directions and keeping appointments are critical to the success of healing your wound.
We will provide your physician with regular progress reports regarding your care. Once your wound is healed, you will return to your physician's care.
What is an Ostomy?
An ostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening for the diversion of waste from the bowel or the bladder. Ostomies are necessary when part or all of the intestine or bladder are removed, and may be temporary or permanent. Some conditions that may lead to ostomy surgery include cancer, diverticulitis, polyps, birth defects, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease and trauma.
Ostomy Care
The Ostomy Center at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center was developed in 1978 to meet the needs of individuals with colostomies, ileostomies and urinary diversions. UM St. Joseph is the only hospital with the longest continuously operating Ostomy Center in the Baltimore area. For over 35 years, a certified wound ostomy care (WOC) nurse has been seeing and caring for patients at the center.
About Our Ostomy Nurses
WOC nurses specialize in ostomy care and rehabilitation and assist patients in the hospital as well as in the outpatient setting. Our nurses provide comprehensive teaching, counseling and care for their patients for pre- and post-operative education, life support and counseling and emergency assistance when needed.
Your WOC nurse can answer questions and address the concerns of patients and family members, both in the hospital and after discharge. Our goal is to help you make the necessary adjustments to life with an ostomy.
You can speak with an ostomy nurse at 410-427-2345.