New Wound and Ostomy Care clinic at Roswell Park

“Cancer treatment can make the skin become very fragile and cause problems with healing,” says Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Nurse Practitioner Emily McKeen, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON, who has special certification in wound and ostomy care. “Cancer drugs and radiation therapy can thin and damage the skin, problems with mobility can contribute to pressure ulcers and even not eating well can affect the skin’s strength. Some wounds are caused by the tumor itself.” 

For patients with an ostomy, a diversion for urine or waste to leave the body, the new clinic provides a “home” care provider to address any problems with the ostomy and manage prescriptions for their pouching supplies. 

Issues the clinic can address

• Non-surgical skin wounds
• Pressure injuries
• Skin irritation or rash from radiation therapy
• Fistulas
• Unmanaged incontinence-associated skin damage
• Pre-surgery ostomy education and post-surgery follow-up care
• Prescriptions for ostomy pouching supplies
• Ostomy-related complications such as hernia, prolapse, leaking, skin irritation and other problems 

This clinic is a way for patients to have these issues addressed promptly and by a provider board certified in wound and ostomy care. “We aim to find the cause of the wound and address it, manage drainage, and treat or prevent infection, so that it can heal properly and avoid a more significant problem or infection.” 

Ostomy clinic is the only one in Buffalo/Niagara region 

At the clinic, McKeen will see an ostomy patient before their surgery to teach them about what to expect and how to care for their ostomy. She will see the patient at two weeks and six weeks after surgery to ensure the ostomy is healing and patients are managing it well. After that, she recommends an annual appointment. 

Even patients who have had an ostomy for years can encounter problems with skin irritation, leaking or a hernia or prolapse. Losing or gaining weight can affect the fit of the pouching system and lead to uncomfortable problems. “The annual checkup allows us to optimize their fitting, manage any irritation or complications and ensure they have the right pouching products for their needs.” 

“Skin irritation and leakage is not a normal part of having an ostomy,” says McKeen. “We can help address that. It’s a huge impact on your quality of life.” 

The Wound and Ostomy Care clinic is located on the hospital's ground floor in the Urology care center. Patients may be referred to the clinic by their Roswell Park provider. If you have a cancer-related wound or ostomy (and your ostomy surgery was at Roswell Park) call your oncology care team or call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355).