This topic explores the discomfort that healthcare workers sometimes feel when dealing with ostomies. The originator of the discussion has noticed that nurses, doctors, and even psychologists can become visibly uneasy when the subject of an ostomy comes up. This discomfort is often shown through nervous glances, reluctance to discuss the topic, and an overall sense of unease. The originator wonders if others have noticed similar behavior and suggests that if healthcare professionals are uncomfortable, it is understandable that the general public might be too.

Here are some insights and advice shared in the discussion:

1. Frustration for "fragile" patients: There is concern that negative reactions from staff could seriously affect those who are still emotionally sensitive about their ostomy.

2. Home-care challenges: Some home-care nurses have applied wafers that were the wrong size, leading to leaks and damage to the stoma. This led the originator to discover the need for barrier rings on their own.

3. Ignorance among healthcare workers: Despite raising the issue several times, the originator is surprised by the lack of knowledge among healthcare workers.

Advice and insights include:

1. Primary Cause = Lack of Training
- Many registered nurses and physicians receive little hands-on training with ostomies, leading to fear of hurting the patient or making mistakes.
- Certified nursing assistants and orderlies often have more practical experience, while stoma/ET/WOC nurses are the true specialists.
- Some healthcare professionals who are also ostomates report that mandatory ostomy-care competencies have been added to their units with good results.

2. What To Do When Staff React Badly
- Speak up immediately if a staff member shows disgust or refuses care. Ask for someone else and file a formal complaint.
- Document incidents with names, dates, and comments, and escalate to the charge nurse or patient-relations office.

3. Self-Education & Advocacy
- Do not rely solely on general-ward staff. Learn about appliance fitting, wafer sizing, use of barrier rings, and basic troubleshooting yourself.
- Experienced members stress the importance of educating the medical community by calmly explaining appliances, showing pictures, and answering questions.
- A new patient-advocacy website is being developed to improve doctor-patient communication and promote sensitive language.

4. Specialist Resources
- Stoma/ET/WOC nurses, available through most U.S. hospitals and the U.K. NHS, provide fittings, home visits, and rapid appointments.
- Centers praised for excellent ostomy care include Memorial Sloan-Kettering (NY), Sarasota Memorial (FL), and Fletcher Allen Medical Center / UVM (VT, Dr. Neil Hyman).

5. Product Tips
- Barrier rings from various brands can solve wafer-fit problems and protect a damaged stoma.
- Liquid or gel ostomy deodorants can greatly reduce odor during changes.

6. Emotional & Social Support
- Positive stories include supportive spouses or partners who help monitor or change pouches, and cheerful nursing teams who treat ostomies matter-of-factly.
- Negative stories highlight derogatory remarks, refusal to assist, and even an orderly who would not transfer a patient due to odor, emphasizing the need for empathy training.

7. Normal/Expected Post-Surgery Issues
- "Phantom dumps" or mucus discharge from the rectum months after a colostomy are common, especially before a planned reversal. However, persistent or painful output should be assessed by a physician or second opinion.

8. Key Takeaway
- Competent, compassionate care exists, but there is wide variability. Assertiveness, self-education, use of stoma nurses, and formal feedback are essential to improving the experience for current and future ostomates.