March/April 2014
Volume 40 Issue 4
METRO MARYLAND OSTOMY ASSOCIATION,
INC.
Celebrating 40 Years of working for Ostomates
How to contact us:
Phone: 301-946-6661
Fax:
800-543-5870
E-Mail: info@MarylandOstomy.org
Web:
www.MarylandOstomy.org
Message from our President
In this Issue
Dear Friends:
I am not sure about you, but I am ready to say good-bye to winter
and welcome in spring, or at least some warmer weather. The
snow, ice, and frigid temperatures seem to have taken its toll on
many of us.
40th Celebration Brunch
Program……………………………2
10 Reasons to be there!…….......3
Maryland Senate Bill 671…….…4
There is no better way to welcome warmer weather, than with a
party, and I cannot think of anything better to celebrate than the
40th Anniversary of Metro Maryland Ostomy Association. Do you
remember your first introduction to MMOA, or the way you felt
when you first learned you needed ostomy surgery? I do, and I
also remember how much better I felt after receiving a visitor and
coming to a MMOA meeting and talking to other ostomates.
These are some of the many things we will be celebrating on
Sunday, March 9th at our 40th Anniversary Brunch. I hope you will
make every effort to join us.
REMINDER:
March 9th is when we “spring forward” to Daylight
Saving Time.
Stoma Dermatitis – Part II.…......5
Your Invitation to the 40th……...6
What the Doctor Ordered –
Horace Saunders..……………..7-8
***In case of bad weather, listen to
WTOP News Radio 1500 AM or
107.7 FM or WTOPNEWS.com for
Cancellation news of our meeting. ***
Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc. is a registered 501(c) (3)
tax-exempt, non-profit organization dedicated to the education,
rehabilitation, and Assistance of those living with an Ostomy.
THRIVE – Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc.
March/April 2014
40th Anniversary Brunch Program
11:00 – 11:45
 Registration
 Silent Auction and Product Fair Open
11:45 – 12:00
 Guests seated in Ballroom
 Invitation to Buffet
12:15 – 12:30
 Welcome
 Invocation by Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt
12:30 – 12:45
 Thank you and Special Recognitions
12:45 – 1:20
 Brenda Elsagher, Guest speaker
1:20 – 1:40
 40 Years of MMOA

1:30 - Silent Auction & Product Fair Closing
1:40 – 1:55
 Award Presentations
1:55 – 2:00

Closing Remarks and Silent Auction Winners Announcement
2
THRIVE – Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc.
Top 10 Reasons you need to be there:
March/April 2014
Missed a Meeting?
1. Visit with Horace and Vi Saunders.
2. Honor our Founder’s Award Recipients:
a. Liz O’Connor, WOCN
b. Carol Pettis, WOCN
c. Joyce Newmyer, President,
Washington Adventist Hospital
3. Visit the vendors at the Product Fair:
a. Coloplast
b. ConvaTec
c. Hollister
d. New Hampshire Pharmacy
e. Ostomy Secrets
4. Show your support for MMOA in celebrating this
milestone Anniversary and all those we have
helped in our first 40 years.
5. Enjoy an afternoon of laughs and
entertainment as we look back and remember
our first 40 years.
6. See friends and visitors you have lost touch
with.
7. Great Silent Auction Items and Door Prizes.
8. Enjoy an outstanding Brunch Buffet.
9. Laugh with Author, Comedian and fellow
Ostomate Brenda Elsagher.
10. You just never know what surprises await!
3
February Meeting – Presentation by
Linda Adelson, CWOCN on the
different types of ostomies and
stoma care.
January Meeting – Presentation by
Gwenn Herman from Pain
Connection.
November Meeting - Presentation
by Alison Ehrlich, MD MHS and
Research Fellows, Jack short, MD
and Samah Hajjar, MD
(Dermatology) of George
Washington University. We have
printed herein the presentation
Part II – “Stoma Dermatitis”
October Meeting – Presentation by
Marie Warner, Montgomery County
Fire and Rescue Services, “Fire
Safety in the Home and Emergency
Medical Services.”
Congratulations to the Winners of
January Raffle
1st Prize: i-PAD – Charles Trevathan
of Columbia NC
2nd Prize: $250 Gift Card –
Patricia White of Montgomery Village
MD
3rd Prize: $50 Cash - Janice Israel
of Mt. Rainier, MD
THRIVE – Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc.
March/April 2014
Advocating for You in Annapolis
SB 671 set for Committee hearing on March 5th
Once again this year, MMOA is hard at work advocating for ostomates in Annapolis. As you might remember, last year
we worked for passage of legislation that expanded the availability of “employee only” restroom facilities for ostomates
and those with Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, and other forms of IBD.
This year, we are working with Senators Astle and Benson to secure the passage of SB 671which requires insurance
companies and HMO’s in Maryland to provide coverage for Ostomy Equipment on ALL policies.
The hearing before the Finance Committee of the Maryland Senate is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 5,
2014 at 1:00 pm
What can I do to help?
•
Contact your State Senator and ask for their support of SB 671.
o
Find out your State Senators information utilizing the following link:
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmmain.aspx?pid=legisrpage&tab=subject6&poptype=find&p
opid=
o
Contact members of the Senate Finance Committee prior to March 5, and ask for their support.

o
A call as simple as this is all that is needed. Hello, I am _________________, and I
have an Ostomy. I know Senator _____________ is a member of the Finance
Committee and I am calling to ask for his/her support of Senate Bill (SB) 671.
Committee Members:
Middleton, Thomas M. (Chair)
301-858-3677
Astle, John C. (Vice Chair)
301-858-3578
Brinkley, David R.
301-858-3704
Glassman, Barry
301-858-3603
Feldman, Brian J.
301-858-3069
Kelley, Delores G.
301-858-3606
Kittleman, Allan H.
301-858-3671
Klausmeier, Katherine
301-858-3620
Mathias, James N., Jr.
301-858-3645
Pugh, Catherine E.
301-858-3656
Ramirez, Victor R.
301-858-3745
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THRIVE – Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc.
Pyoderma Gangrenosum Treatment - Pyoderma
Gangrenosum (PG) is a condition that causes tissue to
become necrotic (form of cell injury that results in the
premature death of cells in living tissue).PG is an uncommon
inflammatory and ulcerative skin disorder characterized by the
accumulation of neutrophils in the skin. The most common
presentation of PG is the rapid development of one or more
painful, purulent ulcer with undermined borders on sites of
normal or traumatized skin. When they occur, they can lead to
chronic wounds. The common conditions associated with
pyoderma gangrenosum are Inflammatory Bowel diseases.
The treatment for PG:
• Topical and injectable corticosteroids
• Systemic immunosuppressants may be necessary
• Stoma relocation is associated with new ulceration and
should be avoided.
Prevention - Some prevention methods should include
athletic activity consideration (water sports), diet, empting
practices, and equipment removal practices and wear time.
Patient education about normal vs. abnormal dermatologic
reactions after ostomy surgery is necessary. Establishing a
regular ostomy nurse visit will reduce complications and costs.
Consulting with an ostomy surgery is necessary. Consulting
with a WOCN could help to make a schedule for an individual’s
stoma dermatitis.
Cost Savings- Significant cost savings can be realized
through preventative care and proper appliance fitting. A UK
study by Martins et al estimated cost savings of 38% over the
initial 8 weeks with regular stoma nurse visits and use of a
double-layer adhesive ostomy appliance. UK cost savings were
estimated at 28M GBP, considering a UK population of
100,000 living with stomas.
Conclusion - Peristomal skin complications are quite
common among ostomy patients, and both prevention and
proper management of these dermatologic issues are
important to the patient's well-being. Preventing cases of
peristomal dermatitis can make postoperative recovery and the
subsequent lifestyle more bearable for the patient. Fewer
peristomal skin problems ultimately create a better surface for
the ostomy equipment to bind to, which helps prevent
complications due to leakage. Further research on the potential
allergens in ostomy equipment and products is also necessary
to create more options for patients. Proper postoperative
follow-ups are needed to address any complications that do
arise. It is also important to educate patients about the types of
dermatologic issues that are normal with an ostomy as well as
those that are abnormal. The much needed communication
and cooperation among surgeons, wound care nurses and
dermatologists would mean ostomy patients’ recovery and
quality of life will be greatly improved.
Stoma Dermatitis: Part II - by Allison Ehrlich, MD MHS and
Research Fellows, Jack Short, MD and Samah Hajjar, MD of
George Washington University gave this presentation at the MMOA
meeting on November 10, 2013. (Part I was in the January/February
2014 issue. Part II will deal with Allergic Contact Dermatitis.)

March/April 2014
Allergic Contact Dermatitis - Symptoms may be clinically
indistinguishable, especially in the occluded (closed or
stopped up) ostomy setting. Fecal or urine irritation is far
more common overall than allergic contact dermatitis. Patch
testing should be considered for all cases in which dermatitis
is not clearly associated with fecal/urine irritant, physical
irritant, infection, or primary skin disorder. Those with
Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) can substantially benefit
from avoidance of culprit products.
Immunologic or Peristomal (ACD) causes are common
allergens in:
√ Cleansers whose ingredients include propylene glycol,
Isopropyl alcohol, Methylchloroisothiazole (a biocide
commonly found in wet wipes), and bronopol.
√ Deodorants are Cinnamal, oak moss absolute, and
fragrances.
Emerging Allergens are found in the ingredients in
adhesives and tapes and topical adhesives. Peristomal ACD
can be caused by the following stoma equipment.
Most frequently reported are epoxy resins found in:
√ Sealing Ring
• Rubber in sealing ring
• Karaya sealing ring
- Natural resin often mixed with glycerin and
parabenzoin to improve adhesion
• Diaminodiphenylmethane
- Rubber antioxidant, epoxy resin hardener
• Polyisobutylene
- Also used in rubber, hydrocolloids
- Patients may be sensitive to certain
additives/impurities
√ Ostomy Bag
• Epoxy resins in ostomy bag
- Bisphenol Type A
• 2-benzotriazol (Tinuvin P)
- Substance migration from core of equipment to
surface
- Reaction may occur after prolonged exposure
Wear time is important in substance migration reactions.
Patch Testing is recommended for all cases of dermatitis
that is not clearly associated with an irritant or infection or
primary skin disorder. Recommend testing includes the
following:
Standard Series
Plastic, glues
Cosmetics
Fragrances
Supplements such as
• Caines (mix consists of benzocaine, tetracaine,
dibucaine), Epoxy resins (BPA), Karaya, Balsam of
Peru, Diaminodiphenylmethane, Polyisobutylene
• Patient specific
- Ostomy equipment
- Stoma accessories
“Women hold up half the sky.” — Chinese proverb
March is Women’s History Month
April is National Women’s Health Week
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THRIVE – Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc.
March/April 2014
Remember to RSVP and buy your Brunch tickets in Advance
Celebrate with Us!
Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc.
40th Anniversary Brunch
and
Inaugural Founders Award Celebration
Sunday, March 09, 2014
11:00 – 2:00 PM
Sheraton Silver Spring Hotel
Cypress Ballroom (4th Floor)
8777 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tickets: $40 per person (Members)
$50 per person (Non-Members)
$60 per person at the Door
RSVP by March 5, 2014
info@MarylandOstomy.org
(301) 946-6661
6
THRIVE – Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc.
Remembering times within our 40 years…
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March/April 2014
THRIVE – Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc.
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March/April 2014
THRIVE – Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc.
March/April 2014
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THRIVE – Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc.
March/April 2014
MMOA Uses Social Media to Reach You
We appreciate and depend on your support for Metro Maryland. We have only one fund
raiser each year; our annual raffle. But this year we are celebrating the 40th Anniversary!
Join us on March 9, 2014 from 11 to 2:00 pm at Sheraton in Silver Spring. Help Metro
Maryland celebrate and continue to support ostomates on their journey… for many more
years!
We recognized it was time to make our small corner of the world more available through social
media to those who are in need of our assistance or know someone who is. We continue to be
there for ostomates either by telephone or in person. At MMOA’s meetings we have experienced
the generosity of our members sharing themselves and their experiences with ostomates, not only
to gain confidence in ourselves, but to reach out to new ostomates who just need a little word of
encouragement.
MMOA wants to continue to be there for ostomates… for YOU.
Please visit us on Facebook and follow us on twitter@MarylandOstomy.
MMOA, Inc.
12320 Parklawn Drive, Suite 241
Rockville, MD 20852