Ostomy Information and Care Guides
Note: Many of the documents available on this page, some in both English and Spanish, were produced by the United Ostomy Association (UOA), which was the national ostomy organization in the United States from 1962 to 2005. Some of these publications, namely, the “Guidebooks” and “Reference Cards,” were actually sold by UOA. UOA disbanded in Fall of 2005 and released all copyrights on this material, which is now provided for free, in electronic form, by UOAA, the new national ostomy organization.
Some of the old UOA documents have been revised and have been updated to display UOAA contact information; however, some still display original UOA markings and contact information. UOA cannot be contacted because it no longer exists; however, UOA's old toll-free phone number (800-826-0826) reaches UOAA now. Also, the URL of UOA's old website (www.uoa.org) redirects now to the UOAA site (www.ostomy.org).
We are most grateful to the WOCN for providing four items of interest to you. WOCN - the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society - is the professional society for specialist nurses who provide expert care for people living with stomas, wounds or continence situations. You can locate a certified WOC Nurse near you at their Nurse Referral Center.
Colostomy
| Colostomy Guide: | In English (24 pp, 257 kB) |
En Español (29 pp, 271 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Colostomy Facts: | In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
| Colostomy Irrigation: | In English (4 pp, 159 kB) |
N/A | Article by Debra Rooney PDF format |
| Irrigation FAQs: | In English (13 pp, 83 kB) |
N/A | PDF document |
Ileostomy
| Ileostomy Guide: | In English (30 pp, 185 kB) |
En Español (30 pp, 180 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Ileostomy Facts: | In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
| Ileostomy Blockage Treatment Card: |
In English (2 pp, 68 kB) |
N/A | Reference Card, PDF |
Ileostomy – Continent alternatives
| Ileoanal Reservoir (J-Pouch) Guide: |
In English (32 pp, 411 kB) |
En Español (31 pp, 593 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Surgical Options for Bowel Diversion: |
In English (2 pp, 382 kB) |
En Español (2 pp, 88 kB) |
Brochure, PDF format |
Urostomy
| Urostomy Guide: | In English (25 pp, 180 kB) |
En Español (24 pp, 129 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Urostomy Facts: | In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
Urostomy – Continent alternatives
| Continent Urostomy Guide: |
In English (24 pp, 203 kB) |
En Español (25 pp, 246 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Surgical Options for Bladder Diversion: |
In English (2 pp, 425 kB) |
En Español (2 pp, 127 kB) |
Brochure, PDF format |
| Orthotopic Neobladder: | In English (2 pp, 109 kB) |
N/A | Brochure, PDF format |
Sexuality
| Intimacy, Sexuality and an Ostomy: |
In English (22 pp, 276 kB) |
En Español (16 pp, 110 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Sex and the Male Ostomate: |
In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
| Sex and the Female Ostomate: |
In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
| Sex and the Single Ostomate: |
In English | En Español | Fact Sheet (web page) |
| Gay & Lesbian Ostomates and their Caregivers: |
N/A | En Español (2 pp, 71 kB) |
Brochure, PDF format |
Diet & Nutrition
| Diet & Nutrition Guide: |
In English (22 pp, 117 kB) |
En Español (22 pp, 105 kB) |
Guidebook, PDF format |
| Ostomate’s Food Reference Chart: |
In English (1 pp, 29 kB) |
N/A | Reference Card, PDF |
| Ileostomy Blockage Treatment Card: |
In English (2 pp, 68 kB) |
N/A | Reference Card, PDF |
Miscellaneous Brochures (all in PDF format)
| Resources for Employment- based Discrimination: |
In English (2 pp, 19 kB) |
N/A |
| Spouse & Family Support for Ostomates: |
In English (2 pp, 23 kB) |
N/A |
| My Child Has an Ostomy: | In English (2 pp, 20 kB) |
N/A |
| Parents of Ostomy Children: |
N/A | En Español (2 pp, 72 kB) |
| So You Have or Will Have an Ostomy: |
N/A | En Español (2 pp, 80 kB) |
Patient Information from WOCN (English only, all in PDF format)
| Basic Ostomy Skin Care (16 pp, 648 kB) |
| Convex Pouching Systems (6 pp, 265 kB) |
| Discharge Planning (2 pp, 68 kB) |
| Preoperative Stoma Marking (4 pp, 118 kB) |