ST. MARYS — Community Nurses Inc. and the Wound Care Education Institute have announced that Betsy Shannon, RN, BSN, OMS, has obtained her certification as an ostomy management specialist.

Shannon is a registered nurse who provides specialized in-home care for Community Nurses home health patients.  

An ostomy is a surgical opening made in the skin as a way for waste products to leave the body. The United Ostomy Association of America reports that more than 1,000,000 Americans have an ostomy, and more than 130,000 new life-saving ostomy surgeries occur each year.  

As a certified ostomy management specialist, Shannon will provide ostomy patients with initial post-operative care at home, assistance with choice and use of pouching system, specialized care of complications following surgery, treatment of skin problems, and ongoing guidance, education and support. Research shows that successful adjustment to an ostomy and improved quality of life are most likely to occur if instruction in self-care and appropriate support is given by a specialized ostomy clinician.

Community Nurses, an affiliate of Penn Highlands Elk, provides state-of-the-art home health services to the residents of Cameron, Elk and McKean counties and parts of Clearfield, Jefferson and Potter counties.