Scottsbluff, NE - A newly established Regional West Medical Center program sees wound and ostomy outpatients Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, by appointment, Medical Plaza North, Suite 1450. Patients must have a referral from their primary care provider, and typically suffer from diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, chronic non-healing wounds, venous stasis ulcers, peri-stomal complications, and wound VAC dressing changes.

The term ‘ostomy’ signifies a type of surgery required when a person has lost the normal function of their bladder or bowel due to birth defects, disease, injury or other disorders. Such operations include colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy. An ostomy is a general term for an operation in which an artificial opening is created for the elimination of bodily waste. The surgery allows for normal bodily wastes to be diverted from either the bowel or urinary systems. The wastes are then collected in a prothesis consisting of a pouch attached to the skin. Ostomies can be either temporary or permanent, based on a number of factors.

During the week of April 12 through the 18, the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society will host an awareness week and recognize nurses across the nation for services they provide to millions of patients suffering from these conditions.

As one of two Regional West nurses who specialize in working with wound and ostomy patients, Joyce Hinze, RN, said, “Our patients need to know we’re here for them, either as in-patients while they are admitted to the hospital, or as out-patients once they are discharged.”

If you think you may benefit by being seen at the outpatient wound/ostomy clinic, please contact your primary care physician for a referral. Or for further questions please contact Joyce Hinze, RN, CWN at 308-630-1942 or Jeanette McFeely, RN, CWOCN at 308-630-1122.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, we offer care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state of Nebraska.