The John C. Harris Wound Healing Center provides comprehensive ostomy care, using a holistic approach to meet your physical, social and psychological needs before and after stoma placement. 

We work together with referring physicians to help ensure the most positive outcomes and offer a wide range of services for those with stomas from colostomy, ileostomy and/or urostomy.

Ostomy Support Group

In collaboration with the Community Cancer Institute, we are proud to offer an ostomy support group for pre- and postoperative patients on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month from 3-4 p.m. 

Call (559) 244-9789 for more information and to RSVP. You can also find more information here.

Preoperative Services

Counseling

• Providing basic ostomy education and answers to questions about surgical procedures, living with a stoma, pre- and post-op diets, concerns about returning to work, etc.

• Familiarizing you and your caregiver/family with the various types of ostomy appliances and supplies that are available.

• Assistance in selecting a reliable pouching system/appliance, keeping your personal needs and choices in mind.

Stoma Site Marking

• A preoperative assessment of the abdomen is performed to determine the best location for stoma placement. More than one site may be marked.

• Proper stoma placement helps avoid post-op wound and skin complications.

Postoperative Services

Education on Stoma Management

• Proper stoma care to help prevent common issues.

• Instruction on self-care, proper hygiene and how to maintain skin health.

• Care coordination and management for patients with a new or existing ostomy, with or without complications.

• Determining adequacy and reliability of your current pouching system and making adjustments as needed.

• Assessment of clothing and providing recommendations if needed for undergarments, support belts, etc.

• Partnering with Home Health Services.

Problem Solving & Ongoing Support

• Providing assistance with pouching system/appliance failures, such as leaks.

• Refitting pouching system/appliance to provide proper seal and optimum comfort as needed.

• Assisting with short-term care and/or long-term management for patients with peristomal skin loss (skin surrounding the stoma site), infections, ulcers and/or rashes.

• Ensuring you're coping with lifestyle changes, helping to alleviate anxieties associated with the ostomy and providing support as needed.