Comfort Medical

Your source for catheter supplies

Header Right

Main navigation

Home > Archives for Digital Production

Digital Production

The Faces of Comfort Medical: Meet Andrea Artura

by

We think our team here at Comfort Medical is pretty amazing. That’s why we like to give our readers a closer look at the people who make this company thrive and stand out in our industry. Today, we’re getting to know someone who works in our customer service department. Meet Quality Control Specialist, Andrea Artura!

Faces of Comfort Medical Andrea Artura

Andrea, tell us a little bit about your professional background.

I am currently a Quality Control Specialist for Comfort Medical.  I have worked in the medical field on the supplier side for nine years, in Customer Service, Retention, Patient Advocacy and now Quality Control.

What does a day on the job entail for you?

A day on the job entails reviewing patient orders, making sure all orders meet quality and compliance requirements an communicating with my teammates and other departments to ensure our customers’ orders are processed in an efficient and timely manner.

What impact do you hope to have on your customers?

The impact I hope to have on our customers is to have them feel the process of receiving supplies through Comfort Medical is seamless that the person who processed their order truly cared.

Where does your desire to help people come from?

Faces of Comfort Medical Andrea Artura

This is extremely close to my heart. I have always been a caretaker. Having a son who is disabled and is now an adult, has increased my desire to help others tremendously.

In what way does your work affect the customer experience?

My work is behind the scenes. Ensuring the customer’s order is processed correctly and on time to make the order process smoothly and having a happy customer in the end.

What do you like best about working at Comfort Medical?

The best part about working for Comfort Medical are the wonderful teammates and management that I get to work with every day. Everyone is so positive. It’s truly a wonderful group of people whose number one priority is our customers.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a child, I wanted to be a pediatrician because I wanted to be able to help those who were sick or in need.

What fills your time when you’re not working?

Faces of Comfort Medical Andrea Artura

When not working , I love spending time with my husband and children (19 and 21 years old)  We all enjoy going to Disney World. I also enjoy going to the beach and working out.

If you could play the part of someone famous in a movie or TV show, who would it be? Why?

If I could play the part of someone famous it would be Olivia Benson on “Law and Order SVU” . The character is a strong woman who helps those who are vulnerable.

What’s an interesting or quirky fact about yourself?

Faces of Comfort Medical Andrea Artura

A quirky fact about myself is that “I can never be late”.  I would rather arrive early than late. My clocks are turned back ten minutes earlier,  so I don’t have to rush. I’m also a true crime fanatic!

The Faces of Comfort Medical: Meet Fabiola Freeman

by

We think our team here at Comfort Medical is pretty amazing. That’s why we like to give our readers a closer look at the people who make this company thrive and stand out in our industry. Today, we’re getting to know someone who works in our customer service department. Meet New Patient Enrollment Specialist, Fabiola Freeman!

Fabiola, tell us a little bit about your professional background.

I am currently a New Patient Enrollment Specialist Comfort Medical, with over 15 years of experience in customer service, sales, and account management. For the last eight years, I’ve been in the medical field on the supplier side.

What does a day on the job entail for you?

A day on the job for me entails following up with patients to make sure all their needs have been met, checking patient accounts to make sure orders are being processed, checking emails and catching up with my coworkers on break.

What impact do you hope to have on your customers?

The impact I hope to have on our customers is to leave them feeling like they were well taken care of, and that the services we offer are more about care and compassion.

Where does your desire to help people come from?

My desire to help comes from my mother. As a child, I witnessed her helping those in need often, even if it meant sacrificing her own needs.

In what way does your work affect the customer experience?

I feel my work affects the customer experience because I am their first point of contact.. I try to give them the white-glove service, and ensure they feel like they are being heard and understand the service they will receive.

What do you like best about working at Comfort Medical?

The best part about working for Comfort Medical for me is the great team that I have and can rely on, and being able to help those in need.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a child, I wanted to be a pediatrician because I wanted to be able to help those who were sick or in need.

What fills your time when you’re not working?

My family fills my time. When I’m not working, I am spending most of my time with close family and friends.

If you could play the part of someone famous in a movie or TV show, who would it be? Why?

The famous person I would play is Claire Huxtable from the Cosby Show. She had a great career as an attorney and still was able to be a great wife and mother of five.

What’s an interesting or quirky fact about yourself?

A fun fact about me is that I love to sing and dance, even though I am bad at both.

The Faces of Comfort Medical: Meet Juan Santander

by

We think our team here at Comfort Medical is pretty amazing. That’s why we like to give our readers a closer look at the people who make this company thrive and stand out in our industry. Today, we’re getting to know someone who works behind the scenes to keep our daily operations running smoothly through technology. Meet Senior Manager of Software Development, Juan Santander!

Tell us a little bit about your professional background.

After graduating in Colombia as an Electrical Engineer, I started my career in the software industry. I worked for about two years for a global company in Colombia and then went on to start my own software company, which grew to about 30 employees in the first years. Eventually, I moved to the US and in 2014 started consulting for Comfort Medical. I became a full-time software developer in October of the same year and then moved into a Software Development Manager position. I am now Senior Manager of Software Development.

What does a day on the job entail for you?

I usually start my day by having a stand-up meeting with my team to align on progress and discuss challenges. Then, I spend most of my day meeting with internal stakeholders and vendors, as well as providing support to the team to make sure the projects stay on track.

In what way does your work affect the customer experience?

My team works on most of the tools that run behind the scenes to make sure we, as a company, give our customers the best experience. This includes ensuring requests are imported into our system and contacted on time, medical records are obtained to support orders, and products are shipped as expected. We also recently released our first customer-facing application (the Comfort Medical App, which currently allows Comfort Medical customers to place and track reorders from their phone, tablet, or computer. We are the first in the industry to give our customers that capability. We want to change the game for the medical device supplier industry by using technology to raise the bar for service.

What do you like best about working for Comfort Medical?

I like the people and the generally friendly environment. Also, I like seeing how our work impacts the business at all levels.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be an inventor. I thought I would be creating new machines. In a way, software is a machine, and every piece of it is an invention, so I guess I ended up following my dream.

What fills your time when you’re not working?

I enjoy spending time with my family — my wife and two young daughters, who are two and three years old. I also enjoy running, playing the piano, and fixing stuff in the house.

If you could play the part of someone famous in a movie or TV show, who would it be? Why?

I would probably like to be Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. I’m a geek and quite often experience the same level of obsessiveness as him.

What’s an interesting or quirky fact about yourself?

I’m possibly the only Colombian that does not care about soccer.

The Faces of Comfort Medical: Meet Jessica Scheele

by

Editor’s Note: At Comfort Medical, we spend a lot of time getting to know our patients in order to provide them with the best service possible. Our patients, however, don’t always have the chance to get to know the person on the other end of the line. That’s why we decided to create ‘The Faces of Comfort Medical’ series. Today, we’re learning all about Peristeen® Specialist, Jessica Scheele.

What is your job title at Comfort Medical?

I’m a Peristeen Specialist. Peristeen is a transanal irrigation device that empties the bowel by introducing water into the rectum and colon using a rectal catheter. Peristeen empties the bowel so efficiently, that it may prevent fecal incontinence and constipation for up to two days.

Editor’s note: For more information about Peristeen, visit Peristeen, for predictable bowel management.

What does your job entail?

My job is to provide support for Peristeen patients. Together with the insurance team at Comfort Medical, we handle the insurance claims and paperwork, and we also provide personalized education and support when these patients need it. When parents are initially told how Peristeen could help their child, they don’t know if their insurance will cover the costs. These parents see their children struggling daily, and it’s very frustrating for them. I love when I can tell them that they got approved, and now, they can have access to this system for their child.

When I hear from parents six months down the line, they’re the happiest they could be. Moms are always telling me how much Peristeen has changed their lives. One lady brought me to tears the other day when she told me about her nine-year-old who no longer has to wear pull-ups and has gained her confidence back. She is not afraid to go to school anymore because the accidents have stopped. Stories like this are why I like coming to work and doing what I do.

What impact do you hope to have on your patients?

Bowel issues are something that these patients struggle with daily, and I love that I can help them get access to a product that can change their lives. It’s very rewarding. I get to be there for my patients as part of their support system. Many of these kids have multiple health issues, so the parents are dealing with all kinds of doctors and medical equipment suppliers. I like to be a nice breath of fresh air for them and help them with whatever it is they need. If they just want to talk or vent about something, they can do that too. My goal is to help out however I can

Where does your desire to help people come from?

I think it’s just in my nature. I’ve always tried to help out with my two younger brothers, my whole life. It makes me feel better to make other people feel better. Also, my mom is the sweetest lady, so I definitely learned from her.

What is something you’ve recently learned to do?

I just learned to ski! That was very exciting and super scary. I’ve lived in Florida my whole life, so snow was completely new to me. I love Colorado, though, and I go there on vacation often. The last time I was there, I went skiing, snow tubing, and snowmobiling. The skiing was the scariest part because beforehand, I was told horror stories about people wiping out and breaking limbs. Right before I left, my boss said, “Please don’t break a leg,” so that’s what I was thinking the whole time. I YouTubed ski tutorials before leaving. I also took lessons once I got there. The one thing I wasn’t prepared for was how out of breath I’d be due to the altitude, but it was so much fun. Once you’re up on the mountain, the ride down is very soothing and relaxing. I want to learn to snowboard next.

What’s something you would like to learn in the future?

I want to learn how to blow glass. It’s such a cool trade. I have an uncle from West Virginia who knows how to do it. He makes these beautiful globes and bowls, and I just think it’s really cool. I would love to be able to make Christmas presents for people that they can keep forever.

If you hosted a dinner and could have anybody, past or present, at the table, who would you invite?

My ex-boyfriend who passed away would be there for sure. Everyone else would be family members. I love my family very much, and they mean the world to me. All of my role models come from my family. My grandma is one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. She went back to college to get her degree in her 40s and started her own business. She moved to Italy to work on an Air Force base at the age of 75. She’s my ultimate role model. My usual dinner table is who I’d like to keep at my dinner table.

What else would you like to share with the Comfort Medical blog readers?

 

Don’t ever give up hope. Hard times may be ahead of you, but you can get through anything. Working toward a goal will pay off in the long run. No one should ever give up hope on their dreams or on something they feel very strongly about. Even if things look discouraging, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, you find someone who can help you out along the way and be there to support you. That truly is what means the most — to have the people you love around you.

Ostomies and Pregnancy – What You Should Know

by

Whether you are already well into your pregnancy, or just beginning to talk with your partner about growing your family, questions and concerns about being pregnant with an ostomy are normal and expected. From the biggest question of ‘can I get pregnant with an ostomy?’, to general guidelines on health and nutrition, we have put together some information to help you along the way. Keep in mind that these are general tips, and every body and pregnancy is different. Should you have additional questions or concerns, you should consult your surgeon, OB-GYN, or WOC nurse to discuss further.

Can I get pregnant with an ostomy?

It is possible to conceive, enjoy a happy pregnancy, and deliver a healthy baby following ostomy surgery. If your surgery was recent, speak with your surgeon or WOC nurse to discuss timing, as you will want to allow time for your body to heal. While having an ostomy generally should not affect your ability to get pregnant, it’s possible that the disease and treatment that led up to your surgery may have had an affect on your fertility. There are at home tests you and your partner can take to determine likelihood of conceiving, or you may wish to make an appointment with your doctor.

Your Stoma May Change in Shape and Size

Your stoma as well as your peristomal skin (skin surrounding the stoma) will most likely change in shape and size with your growing belly. You may need to use extra accessories or even change your pouching system type during pregnancy, as well as postpartum while your body is growing and changing. Take frequent measurements of your stoma to ensure you are using the correct opening size, as the stoma may enlarge with pregnancy.

As your belly grows – depending on the placement of your stoma – it might become difficult to see it when you are changing your pouching system. Use a mirror to help you see those challenging angles. You may also require a second mirror (such as a hand mirror) to get more perspective.

Hydration and Nutrition

With any ostomy, and especially with an ileostomy, hydration is very important. Many women with ostomies make it through their pregnancies with no complications. If you have an ileostomy, there can be risk of intestinal obstruction where the growing uterus blocks the intestinal passage, keeping the stoma from working properly and causing cramping pains. A brief liquid diet can help to free up the blockage, be sure to consult your doctor or WOC nurse for more information or if this problem persists. Keep in mind that chewing your food well and drinking more than the suggested amount of water for the day can help immensely with digestion.

Oh, and enjoy those maternity pants, you may never want to switch back!

 

Comfort Medical does not practice medicine. The recommendations and information in this material are not medical advice. Contract your healthcare provider for personal medical advise or diagnosis. If you think you have a medical emergency, dial 911.

Enjoying Winter Sports With a Stoma – Tips for Preparedness, and Caring for Your Stoma. 

by

If your 2019 New Year’s resolution was to be more active, you still have time to make your goal a reality. This winter, why not bundle up and head out on an outdoor adventure for a weekend? Snowy mountains mean plenty of fun activities for you and your friends or family. With just a little extra planning, you could be skiing, snowboarding, sledding, or ice-skating this winter.

If you were an avid skier or snowboarder before your surgery, you will be happy to know that you can continue with your sport. There are a few things to keep in mind when participating in these activities. While your stoma shouldn’t stop you from being active, fully allowing your body to heal is crucial. Here are a few tips to remember as you plan your winter activities.

Ease Back Into it

Naturally, you are going to be eager to get back to the same level of activity you experienced before your surgery. If you were an avid skier or snowboarder before your surgery, be patient with yourself as you gradually increase your time on the slopes. Consider hiring an instructor again to help teach you to fall correctly and with your pouch in mind.

When you aren’t on the mountain, consider exercises that can help you with form and balance. The stronger your body is, the more you can avoid falling poorly. Training your core will help with your winter sports activities, but will also help you stay fit all year long.

Pack Extra Supplies

It’s good to be prepared in case of any accidents. Packing extra supplies, including accessories, will help you to feel more confident and ready to hit the slopes. Whether heading out on a day trip, or if you are packing for a longer vacation, you won’t regret being over-prepared. Many powders, wipes, and pastes are available in small sachets perfect for travel or on the go. Consider ordering free samples to find the right accessories for you and your body. 

Stay Hydrated

Anytime you are participating in activities that require extra exertion, you should remember to hydrate more than your normal daily amount. Consider carrying a refillable water bottle so you have access to water throughout the whole day and trip. A hydration backpack can also come in handy as you will have access to water hands-free and these packs often have extra storage spaces where you can hide supplies should you need them quickly. Staying hydrated is especially important if you have an ileostomy as you need more than the recommended amount of fluids per day. Drinks high in electrolytes can help balance your body’s fluids as they contain potassium and sodium, which help your body absorb liquid better.

Many people with an ostomy are happy to report that they are able to do more following their surgery than before. Of course it is important to go slow and allow your body to completely heal, but it’s unlikely that you will have many limitations. If you are struggling to figure out which products work best for you, and you need someone to talk to, consider enrolling in Coloplast Care® – a free support program with personalized support for your daily life with an ostomy.

These tips are general guidelines and should not replace information that has been given to you by your physician. It is important to follow the advice of your healthcare professional.

Contact
Contact