UR Medicine Ostomy Services
UR Medicine Ostomy Services provides comprehensive ostomy care. Our holistic approach to care meets each patient’s physical, social and psychological needs. We also collaborate with referring physicians to help ensure the most positive outcomes for the patients we treat.
Services We Provide
Ostomy Services offers expert care, education and support. We provide a full range of services for patients with a stoma (colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy), as well as fistula and tube stabilization management.
Preoperative Services
Counseling:
- Basic ostomy education and answers to questions such as surgical procedures, living with a stoma, pre- and post-op diets, concerns re: returning to work, etc.
- Familiarize patients and their families with various types of ostomy appliances and supplies that are available.
- Assist patients in selecting a reliable pouching system/appliance, keeping their personal needs and choices in mind.
Stoma Site Marking(s):
- 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 patients avoid post-op wound and skin complications caused by leakage.
Postoperative Services
Education on Stoma Management:
- Patients are instructed on self-care, proper hygiene and how to maintain skin health.
- Patients, families and/or caregivers learn proper stoma care to help prevent common problems from occurring.
- Care coordination and management for patients with a new or existing ostomy, with or without complications.
- Determine if patient’s current pouching system/appliance is adequate/ reliable and obtain new appliance if it needs to be updated.
- Assess patient’s clothing and provide recommendations if needed for undergarments, support belts, etc.
- Arrange for visit(s) by a home health agency prior to patient discharge and work in conjunction with this agency care and staff for a seamless continuum of care.
Problem Solving & Ongoing Support:
- Provide assistance with pouching system/appliance failures, such as leaks.
- Refit pouching system/appliance to provide proper seal and optimum comfort as needed.
- Assist with short-term care and/or long-term management for patients with peristomal skin loss, infections, ulcers, and/or rashes.
- Ensure that the patient is coping with lifestyle changes, help to alleviate anxieties associated with the ostomy, providing support as needed.
Patient Materials:
More information is provided through downloadable pdfs below:
Your Team
- Virginia Hanchett MSN, FNP-BC, DCNP, CWCN, COCN
Virginia Hanchett is the Program Director and Nurse Practitioner in UR Medicine Ostomy Services at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York. She has greater than 23 years of experience in the field of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing (WOCN), and over 18 years’ experience in the field of medical dermatology. Her specialty is in management of ostomy patients with complex medical dermatological diseases such as psoriasis, blistering disorders and pyoderma gangrenosum.
Ms. Hanchett earned her Associate degree in Applied Science from the State University of New York at Morrisville, Bachelors from Alfred State University and her Master of Science in Nursing Administration from St. John Fisher College. She furthered her training in Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing at the New Mexico School of ET Nursing in 1999 and received a post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certification from the University of Rochester School of Nursing in 2003. She holds a national certification as a Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner, Certified Ostomy Nurse and is nationally certified with the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has proudly been employed at the University of Rochester Medical Center since 1987.
Professional active memberships include the WOCN Society, Dermatology Nurses Association (DNA), DNA NP Society and she is the founding President of the Greater NY Chapter 23 of the DNA.
- Ashley Croft MSN, FNP-C, CWON
Ashley Croft has been a nurse since 2008, obtaining her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Franklin Pierce University. She then went on to pursue specialty training for wound, ostomy and continence (WOC) nursing at Emory University in 2014. Shortly after completion, she moved to Rochester and started her career as a WOC nurse at the University of Rochester Medical Center. During her work as a WOC nurse, she continued her education to expand her scope of practice. She graduated from St. John Fisher College in 2020 with a Master’s of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau honor society during her time there. Ms. Croft is a AANP board certified family nurse practitioner. As a nurse practitioner, she is an active member of the AANP and WOCN society. She joined the UR Medicine Ostomy Services team in 2020 and her special interests include research in the WOC field, dermatology, pediatrics and advanced wound healing strategies with the ostomy patient.
- Jennifer Kenny BS, RN, CWON
Jennifer Kenny is the Registered Nurse/Care Coordinator for Ostomy Services at the University of Rochester. She has been a RN since 1999, with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from St. John Fisher College. She then obtained her wound and ostomy Certification through Emory University in August of 2020. Jennifer started her career of the University of Rochester, then transitioned to home care for 17 years before returning to Ostomy Services.
Contact Us
The goal of Ostomy Services is to help patients heal, return to normal daily activities faster, and enjoy the best possible quality of life. For information or to schedule an appointment, please call (585) 262-9191.
Convenient Location:
160 Sawgrass Drive, Suite 130
Rochester, NY 14620
Free parking is available directly outside our building. The West entrance is in the rear of the building.
Insurance: We accept most major insurances. Some insurance carriers require a referral from your primary care physician; please refer to your plan’s coverage.