Ask the Nurse

When should I seek medical assistance?

You should call the doctor or ostomy nurse when you have:

• Severe cramps lasting more than two or three hours
• A deep cut in the stoma
• Excessive bleeding from the stoma opening (or a moderate amount in the pouch at several emptying's)
• Continuous bleeding at the junction between the stoma and skin
• Severe skin irritation or deep ulcers
• Unusual change in stoma size and appearance
• Severe watery discharge lasting more than five or six hours
• Continuous nausea and vomiting
• The ostomy does not have any output for four to six hours and is accompanied by cramping and nausea

E-Mail Questions

The below listed individuals have graciously agreed to make themselves available to answer any general questions or clarification.

Please contact one of the following:

Jennifer Hodorowski, WOCN
(Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse)
at Columbia -St. Mary's Hospital of Milwaukee
jhodorow@columbia-stmarys.org

Sarah J. Lundeen, RN, MSN, APNP
at Froedtert Hospital of Milwaukee
slundeen@mcw.edu

Gloria Gerard, RN, ET, CWOCN
Manager, Clinical Support
Home Care Medical
gloria.gerard@hcmedical.com