This topic is about finding qualified stoma care and supplies, especially when local ostomy nurses are hard to come by. Pati, who recently had colostomy surgery, is navigating this challenge. Here are some insights and advice that might help:

1. Pati has been managing her ostomy care since her surgery in August. She learned to change her Hollister system in the hospital but now needs a convex barrier to prevent leaks. Unfortunately, her home-health nurse is unfamiliar with these barriers and insists that stoma nurses don't exist.

2. She reached out to her GI doctor and surgeon, but neither employs an ostomy nurse. She can't order her own supplies until her home-health services end. With some guidance, her nurse ordered what they hope are the correct convex wafers, but Pati still lacks professional fitting and follow-up.

3. Pati is grateful for the support from MaO and continues her search for an ostomy (WOC) nurse.

4. She plans to keep using Hollister products but is open to trying others and intends to contact Convatec. She's surprised by the lack of ostomy nurses in the Tampa area despite its medical resources.

5. Due to her limited mobility, virtual consultations are appealing, and her primary-care physician might know of some resources. She welcomes suggestions for products, suppliers, and any leads on local stoma or wound-care specialists.

Here are some helpful tips and advice:

- Manufacturer nurse programs and samples:
- Convatec offers a free "me+" program with video calls with certified WOC nurses and generous samples.
- Coloplast, Hollister, Salts, and Nu-Hope Labs also provide phone or video consultations with ostomy nurses and ship sample barriers, rings, and pouches at no cost.

- Locating professional help locally:
- Contact each hospital's Wound Care department; many wound-care nurses are trained in stoma management or can refer you to a WOC nurse.
- Ask home-health agencies to assign a nurse with ostomy experience or to train existing staff.
- Use the United Ostomy Association of America (UOAA) website to find support groups by ZIP code; group leaders often know local specialists.

- Product-selection tips:
- If the new convex Hollister wafer stops leaks, stick with it; once confident, explore other brands.
- A mixed system can work, like a slight-convex Coloplast Sensura Mio pouch with a flat Convatec ring; users often try two-to-three rings before finding the ideal fit.
- Moldable barriers and "crusting" with stoma powder can protect the skin, especially around parastomal hernias.

- General management suggestions:
- Watch manufacturer and MaO videos, read catalogs, and then ask specific questions; community members can fill in the information gaps.
- To manage output timing and reduce unpredictable "dribble," one user drinks 6 oz of prune juice each morning, though results may vary.

- Encouragement and perspective:
- Certified WOC nurses do exist but are in short supply; many forum members and some nurses on MaO are happy to answer detailed questions.
- Nurses with personal ostomy experience can be especially valuable; advocating for better recognition and pay for them is important.