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Why it is More Convenient to Reorder Catheter and Ostomy Supplies Through an App

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Editor’s Note: This article is based on a review of Comfort Medical’s mobile app, which is offered to customers for easy access to their account profile and reordering medical supplies.

 

Let’s face it, apps have reshaped how we get day-to-day tasks done. Our devices are constantly revolutionizing and streamlining the way we complete activities. Whether it’s the way we work, conduct business, communicate with others, exercise, shop, or pass time, there is an app for almost anything you can think of nowadays.

 

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5 Adaptive and Advocacy Events You Shouldn’t Miss This November  

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This November boasts many reasons and ways to get active. By exercising our bodies, we can burn off those Halloween candy calories and a little extra in preparation for all of the upcoming holiday feasts. But this month also provides opportunities to exercise our rights and use our voice in the name of advocacy. Take a look at our top five ways to do good for yourself and your community through adaptive and advocacy events this November!

1) 2018 Midterm Elections

November 6, 2018 · All day · At your local polling place or via absentee ballot

Although we are grateful for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the progress made since then, we’re not ready to stop fighting for our rights anytime soon. One powerful way to continue advocating for yourself and the disability community is through voting in this year’s midterm elections. Take some time to research the people and proposals on your district and state ballot, and reach out to candidates to ask where they stand on issues important to you. Most states offer absentee ballots if you’re not able to be physically present at the polls on election day, and all polling stations are required to have at least one accessible booth. You also have the right to bring an assistant along to help you fill out your ballot at the polls. Visit RootedinRights.org/videos/voting for more information about your voting rights, and check Vote.org to see if you qualify for an absentee ballot in your state.

2) Veterans Day Weekend Retreat

November 8-10, 2018 · All weekend · Killington, VT

Join Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports for a weekend of adventure! Details are yet to be determined, but activities may include hiking, biking, and yoga. Whether you’re kayaking, climbing, or just shooting the breeze with fellow veterans, you can’t go wrong with a weekend full of nature and camaraderie at zero cost to you! Check the link above for more information, and don’t forget to call ahead to reserve your spot.

3) Crash 4 Cash Fundraiser Tournament

 

November 10, 2018 · 8 am – 6 pm CST · Independence, MO

Head over to the Palmer Center for a fun-filled day of wheelchair rugby. Register your team or sign up as an individual to be placed on a team. Players of all abilities are welcome, and spectators are encouraged to fill the stands and cheer on their favorite team!

4) Adaptive Climb With TRC North Raleigh

November 18, 2018 · 6:30 – 8:30 pm EST · Raleigh, NC

Now is your chance to try out adaptive climbing or hone your skills for free! Join Duke Adaptive Climbing at the Triangle Rock Club’s indoor facility in Raleigh for this event open to all abilities and experience levels. If you can’t make this one, browse the calendar future climbing dates and opportunities to push your limits in a controlled environment with experienced instructors.

5) Giving Tuesday

November 27, 2018 · All day · Anywhere

While many of us are set on getting the best deals during the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving presents an opportunity to steer our focus back onto the true spirit of the holiday season:  giving. If you have the means, consider donating to your favorite nonprofit on Giving Tuesday this year. If your budget is a little tight, you can still participate by volunteering your time or encouraging your friends and family to contribute. Let your entourage know why you’re passionate about your chosen charity and in what ways donating time or money serves the cause. Use #GivingTuesday on social media to get the word out, and keep in mind, your charity doesn’t have to be actively campaigning for this event in order to accept donations!

No matter where you live, there are occasions to get involved in your community this November.

Remember to show up at the polls, whether it be in person or through an absentee ballot, to make your voice heard, and be sure to check for other adaptive events and advocacy happenings in your area!

Troubleshooting Ostomy Leakage  

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Being an ostomate definitely has its challenges, whether it’s having to carry around extra supplies with you wherever you go or dealing with uncomfortable stares at the beach. While those situations are surely annoying, leakages surpass nuisance status and take first place on the list of embarrassing ostomy mishaps. No one wants to deal with soiled clothing or undesirable odors, yet unfortunately, all ostomates are susceptible to the occasional accident. However, if you’re experiencing leakages on a regular basis, it’s time to do a little troubleshooting. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to better ascertain the source of the issue.

Does Your Appliance Fit Properly?

The pouching system you were sent home with after your operation may no longer be the right product for you. Stomas can change shape and size for various reasons. If you’re fresh out of surgery, you were probably told to regularly monitor and measure your stoma as your body goes through the healing process. After a few months, your stoma will likely stabilize, and you’ll be able to choose an appropriate appliance for your needs. However, even veteran ostomates sometimes experience stoma transformations years after surgery. If this is your case, ask yourself if you’ve lost or gained weight, if your stoma has retracted or prolapsed more than usual, if you may be pregnant, or if you have a parastomal hernia. Be sure to let your healthcare professional know what’s going on and talk to them about trying a different pouching system.

Is Something in Your Usual Routine Causing Issues?

 You may have thought you had your ostomy care routine down pat, but as we already discussed, sometimes things change for no immediately apparent reason. Maybe you’ve determined your current leakage issues are due to your wafer peeling. If this is a new problem, try pinpointing things in your daily life that may have deviated from your standard routine. For example, have you recently switched to a new shower gel or are you sweating more than usual? Oils in products or even from your natural secretions can adversely affect the adhesive power of your appliance. If possible, eliminate the cause, and if that doesn’t help, try using a stoma tape, such as Brava Elastic Barrier Strips, or reducing the frequency in which you change your appliance.

When Does Leakage Typically Happen?

If there doesn’t seem to be a pattern to when you experience leakage, take the time to jot down some notes after the next few episodes. Pay attention to what time of day the leakage occurred, what you ate beforehand, and what activity you were doing just prior. If you’re able to conclude that the leakage usually happens at the same time of day, try emptying the output or releasing gas from your pouch more often leading up to that period. If it tends to arise after a meal, tinker with the foods you’re eating to figure out if one of them may be causing excessive output. If you notice leakage happens during physical activity, try using a support belt to keep your pouch securely in place. If you encounter nighttime blowouts, try eating dinner an hour earlier than usual, setting an alarm to prompt you to empty your bag during the night, or using a larger capacity pouch.

Still Stumped?

If you’ve thoroughly racked your brain and still can’t figure out what’s causing leaks, don’t forget you’re not alone! Talk to your healthcare professional, join a support group, and scour online forums for tips and tricks from fellow ostomates. You can also give Comfort Medical a call at 1-844-700-2109. Our product specialists are highly knowledgeable on every brand we carry and will be happy to assist you in selecting a suitable appliance to help minimize the reoccurrence of leakage incidents!

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Photo by: Natalie Koziuk Photography (www.nkoziukphotography.com)

Disability Awareness month is coming up and with so many great events on the calendar, now is the time to start planning out your October. If you’re part of the ostomy and continent diversion community or would like to support awareness, Run for Resilience Ostomy 5k should most definitely be on your radar.

 

Although ostomy surgery dates back to before anyone reading this was born, the general population still lacks a basic understanding of its function and purpose. Four years ago, a couple of wound, ostomy, and continence nurses set out to change that and educate the public about ostomies by organizing a five-kilometer (3.1-mile) run. The first race was held in North Carolina, and year-by-year more, cities across the United States come onboard with nine participating this year. Race organizers at each location customize their event with fun, family-friendly activities and informational booths staffed by representatives from various ostomy supply manufacturers.

Supporting UOAA

Held on World Ostomy Day or the following weekend (October 6 or 13), the Run for Resilience gives participants an opportunity to raise funds for the United Ostomy Associations of America to support programming and advocacy efforts throughout the year. Race locations for 2018 include:

Birmingham, AL

Mesa, AZ

Boise, ID

Harrison Township, MI

Pennsauken, NJ

Durham, NC

Portland, OR

East Stroudsburg, PA

Nashville, TN

Virtual Run, Walk, or Roll

 

Anyone who can’t make the trip to one of the cities hosting events can still participate through a virtual run, walk, or roll by grabbing some friends and family, completing a 5k route near you, snapping some photos, and sharing them with UOAA via email or tagging the organization on social media. Registration is free, but if you opt to pay $15, you get a technical t-shirt to wear during the event which also serves as a great way to spark a conversation about ostomy awareness.

Other ways to get involved include donating funds, volunteering on race day, or simply coming out and cheering on the athletes.

 

The Importance of Ostomy Awareness

Educating people on ostomies and the reasons one may become an ostomate helps dispel misinformation and alleviate some of the associated stigmas. For those facing surgery, knowing their lives do not have to be limited post-operation allows many to accept their circumstances more easily and return to the activities they enjoyed pre-operation with less anxiety. Awareness on the legislative front is also a key factor in ensuring coverage of ostomy medical supplies through federal health care programs and encouraging private insurance companies to follow suit.

 

Register Now!

All abilities and ages are welcome to participate. Details on registration for each location can be found at Ostomy5k.org. Be sure to set up your personal fundraising page upon enrollment, and let your friends and family know about it through word-of-mouth and social media using #RunforResilience or #OstomyDayUSA!

 

Editor’s Note:  Feature photo by Natalie Koziuk Photography

https://www.comfortmedical.com/celebrate-world-ostomy-day-by-running-walking-or-rolling-for-resilience/

The Faces of Comfort Medical: Meet Sherry Hernandez, Corporate Trainer  

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Not all of our employees at Comfort Medical have the opportunity to work directly with our customers. One example is Corporate Trainer Sherry Hernandez who we’re featuring for this month’s post in our ‘Faces of Comfort Medical’ series. You will never talk to Sherry on the phone, yet she plays an important role in creating an unrivaled experience for every person who puts their trust in Comfort Medical for their ostomy or catheter supply needs. Let’s find out how!

Sherry, how did your prior professional experience help prepare you for your current role?

All of my roles have been people-centered since the learning and organizational development function is usually within the Human Resources department. This has provided me with the ability to effectively manage relationships with people of varying personalities at different levels of an organization.

Graduate school was the biggest eye-opener in this regard because there were a lot of group projects. My program was unique in that it was consultancy-centered. We were lucky to work with companies and government agencies and provide real-life solutions — and we all had solutions. It was not always easy picking the best suggestions knowing that others’ ideas would remain on the cutting room floor.

Describe your typical work day at Comfort Medical.

Every day is different, which is the most exciting part of my position. A typical day includes developing new and ongoing training, updating current documentation, meetings, facilitating training sessions, assisting teammates with process or technical issues, and more meetings.

How does what you do at Comfort Medical affect the customer experience?

There is one degree of separation between myself and the customers we service. One of the most important roles I have is to ensure that our teams have the resources they need to not only perform their job but also continuously educate themselves on the emerging changes in our industry. Knowledge, and sharing knowledge, is a key component in their success.

What do you enjoy most about working at Comfort Medical?

The people. We have amazing people working at Comfort Medical, each with their own unique personality. We are very close here, and it really feels like a family.

What’s your daily breakfast routine?

You can always catch me with matcha or coffee in the morning. I always get asked what matcha is, and it is a finely-milled green tea powder that is used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. It is packed with antioxidants and has a rare amino acid that increases focus.

If you could spend all day, every day doing one activity, what would it be?

Half-sleeping while watching Netflix. I love to sleep, and I love Netflix, but I can’t watch Netflix while asleep. I think half-asleep is a good compromise.

What’s your current favorite TV show?

I love TV! It is hard to pick one, so I will have to say it is a toss-up between Game of Thrones, Black Mirror, and I Love Lucy.

Where did you go on your favorite vacation to date, and why did you enjoy it so much?

My favorite vacation to date is the trip I took to Paris last November. The city is full of amazing art, culture, history, and food. I loved walking through art galleries and museums, strolling through the

rues that have been walked on for hundreds of years, and eating at the same cafes as my favorite artists and novelists (Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Van Gogh, and Dali).

I was a Classics major during my undergraduate years at Florida State University, so naturally, I love history. It was an incredible experience being present in a city that was just as vivacious over a thousand years ago. Oh, and the food, especially the breads and pastries, were amazing. On every corner was a boulangerie (bakery), and the smells coming from them were intoxicating.

If you could have any super power, which one would it be and why?

It would be teleporting because I love to travel, but I wouldn’t want to take an 8-hour flight to Europe or 16-hour flight across the Pacific to Southeast Asia. I also wouldn’t have to take off my shoes at the TSA line when traveling internationally.

The Faces of Comfort Medical: Meet Dolores Baez, Human Resources Manager

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We’re back with a new post in “The Faces of Comfort Medical’ series where each month, we give our readers a peek into the life of one of our extraordinary and unique team members. Today, we’re getting to know Human Resources Manager Dolores Baez!

How long have you been working at Comfort Medical? What is your role?

I started with Comfort Medical at the beginning of 2016. I manage everything having to do with human resources including payroll, compensation and benefits, and recruiting to name a few. I make sure our employees have the information they need and help them with any questions they have about benefits. When I first started, I was also working in compliance, but as the company grew, we decided to hire a compliance manager to allow me to focus solely on HR.

You don’t have direct interaction with customers, but how does the work you do affect the customer experience?

I work closely with the management team to make sure the employees, especially those who are patient-facing, are well-trained and are following the guidelines we have in place to ensure customer satisfaction. Recruiting talent also plays a big roll in the customer experience. When we have job openings, I look for candidates who are passionate about helping people.

What do you consider to be one of Comfort Medical’s biggest strengths?

There’s a strong commitment across the board at all levels of wanting to do what is best and achieving the goals we set. Our employees make sure things are done in the best possible way. I noticed that right away when I came onboard.

What is your favorite part about working for Comfort Medical?

I like that my job isn’t repetitive. I can start my day thinking I have a list of things to do, but it never actually happens the way I planned. But, that’s okay because every day is a new adventure!

What do you do when you’re not working?

I go salsa dancing with my fiancé. I got started around 15 years ago because somebody basically told me I couldn’t do it. So I said, “Let me figure this out and learn it!” I decided to go out dancing as much as I could and take lessons. I fell several times, but I had a lot of fun. The original comment brought me down a little bit, but I’m glad the person said it because otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have discovered that I love dancing this much. At one point, I was in an all-ladies dance group and was driving two hours to go to practices!

Name a skill you would like to learn.

I’d like to improve my Spanish. My parents were born in Puerto Rico, but they didn’t teach me Spanish growing up. They used to talk to each other in Spanish, but they spoke to me in English. So, I understand it more than I can speak it, and I can get by if I have to, but I would like to take classes to improve. There are a lot of Spanish-speaking people here in Florida so it would be great to be able to communicate better.

What are some of your biggest pet peeves?

Not using “your,” “you’re,” “there,” “their,” and “they’re” properly in a sentence. I also dislike group texting!

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Watching movies on the couch in my pajamas while eating a variety of junk food.

If you could star in any TV show or movie, which one would it be and what character would you play?

Seinfeld. I would be Elaine, and I would do the dance.

Do you have a fun fact about yourself that you’d like to share?

I like singing, dancing, and art, especially painting. I once played Conchita in Copacabana at a local community theater. I actually almost went to the performing arts high school in Manhattan (the one from Fame), but then my parents decided to move us to Florida.

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