Before you are discharged from the hospital, you will be given the name of an ostomy group near your home. An ostomy group usually meets regularly. Membership consists of people with ostomies, but meetings can also be attended by family members, friends, physicians, nurses and ET nurses. The meeting is a time for the exchange of ideas and for support from others. New developments in ostomy care are discussed, new products are shown, guest speakers are invited and a social time follows the meeting.
Some ostomy groups have an ostomy visitor program.
In this program, members of the group who have had ostomies for a period of time visit patients in the hospital with new ostomies. Ostomy visitors undergo special training. It also holds an annual national conference and regional meetings. The CCFA is an organization dedicated to finding the cause and cure of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis through research. Chapters are located in various states.