Wound Care and Ostomy Care

An ostomy is a surgical opening created in the abdomen to divert gastrointestinal or urinary waste out of the body and into a pouching system. Common types are colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy.

Frequency depends on each patient’s case and insurance coverage.

Yes, Medicare and most private insurances cover home health nurse visits for ostomy care needs deemed medically necessary post-hospitalization.

Pouching systems, skin barrier attachments, ostomy deodorants, adhesives, and skin protectants are supplied as needed per physician orders.

Nurses can treat pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, surgical wounds healing slowly, skin tears, and more based on doctor’s orders.

Healing times vary significantly depending on wound cause, size, age, health status. Smaller uncomplicated wounds may heal in a couple weeks with proper care while larger complex wounds can take months.

Packing a wound with special medicated dressing strips helps stimulate improved healing in deeper or infected wounds. Nurses are trained on proper techniques to do this.

Contact your nurse immediately if increased drainage, odor, pain, redness around the wound, or fever occurs as these signal potential wound infection needing medical evaluation.