Page 14 - OASC March 2021 Newsletter

You’re proactive!
OASC Supplier Survey Results...
Thanks for your support. More than 60% of members responded to this survey.
You sure are proactive in getting help with your ostomy! Depending on the issue, 9 in 10 respondents rely on other OASC members or ostomates. Two thirds subscribe to lifetime ostomy care programs like Coloplast Care, Hollister’s Secure Start, or ConvaTec me+. More than half go online to Ostomy Canada Society, suppliers’ websites, ostomy blogs and YouTube. Others get help from enterostomal nurses like Jenn Brewer or from their local pharmacy or supplier representative.
When it comes to appliances, there’s no surprise. You rely on Coloplast, Hollister and ConvaTec or some mix from 2 or more of these major vendors for flanges, bags/pouches and wafers.
The same applies to accessories. From adhesive removers to stoma guards, respondents’ mainstays are Hollister, Coloplast and ConvaTec. Some also use Eakin, Attiva and Nu-Hope, or have belts from Hernia Helper and Ostomy Clothing Co. (formerly Weir Comfies).
As for retailers, more than 8 in 10 respondents buy their ostomy supplies from Wellwise by Shoppers Drug.
A few shop at IDA, Guardian Drugs or Starkmans or buy direct from Eakin and Nu-Hope. Many shop online at CanMedDirect, and some choose OOS Medical and SCI Supply. One respondent noted 2 additional sources: Stomabags.ca and LifeSupply.ca.
This information helps us help empower new ostomates with more choices in managing their care.
Reshape our thinking
The world is going through a period of crisis, but whether we look at it as a crisis or as an opportunity to reshape our thinking, depends on us. So use this period as a lesson on how to live life with a concern for all of humankind.
— Abhijit Naskar
[14]