Blog

The best part of my job with Express Medical Supply is getting to talk to the people who use the supplies we sell.  I first talked to Brian several months ago and he was frustrated because he could not find a leg bag that could be worn while he was riding his Ice Sprint 26x recumbent trike.  Brian has had MS (Multiple Sclerosis) for 23 years and since his first exacerbation he has been focused on exercise.  Maintaining his health and his quality of life is important to Brian and he works had to …

Mary Nussbaum has been working with Express Medical Supply since the company started.  She is our "Diva of Data" and helps every department make decisions.  Mary has been married to her high school sweetheart for 34 years.  Together they have 4 children and 1 grandchild.  They are happy to announce they have another grandchild on the way!  Mary is motivated by the love of her family and friends.  This is Mary's story about what motivated her during her fight with breast cancer. In February 201 …

Skin Preps are called several different names.  They are sometimes called barrier films, wipes, barrier wipes, barrier spray, etc.  All of these things are the same product: Skin Prep.  They are used to protect your skin from harsh adhesives, shear, and stomal output.  Over time the skin around your stoma can become irritated by the constant presence of the adhesives from your wafer.  If you have redness, sores, broken skin, irritated itchy patches, or anything other than healthy skin, skin p …

There is a new program to get kids and their families to connect to nature and to the historic sites that surround them.  Every Kid in a Park is a special program that allows 4th graders and their families to enjoy the National Parks throughout the United States.  This great program not only helps kids connect to nature, it helps them value the public lands that need and deserve our protection.  These National Parks are living classrooms.  Outdoor places and historic sites that help kids see a …

It is time for Back to School and that means no more late summer nights making s’mores or playing flashlight tag.  It is back to homework and early bedtimes.  Lunch boxes and school supplies will need to be purchased but if you are the parent of a child with an ostomy there are some extra items you will need to add to your list. Ostomy supplies will need to be organized and you will have to work to make sure your child's school is ready to be a part of your ostomy team!  Communication is of the …

The price differences in Compression Stockings and Socks can be confusing.  The pictures look the same and the descriptions don't always shed a lot of light on why one sock costs so much more than another.  Is it just brand?  Are they all the same?  The short answer is, no, there are important differences between a manufacture's economy line and their premium line.  Companies like Jobst make a wide range of compression stockings and socks.  All compression stockings need to be hand washed and l …

Compression stockings and socks are used to help relieve tired, achy legs, swelling of feet and ankles, and to increase blood flow. Compression stockings and socks come in different compression levels. The measurement used for compression stockings, is mmHg, otherwise known as millimeters of mercury. The higher the number of mmHg, the firmer the compression will feel when wearing the socks or stockings. The different levels of compression are worn to combat different medical conditions. The bes …

I spend a lot of time researching and learning about ostomy.  I have read countless articles on ileostomy, what it is, how it works, and how to help people live their best life with one.  An ileostomy is a surgically created opening in the abdominal wall.  With an ileostomy the ileum, the lowest part of the small intestine, is brought through the abdominal wall to form a stoma.  The stoma is actually the intestine.  The stoma is usually pink or red and it does not have nerve endings.  Right aft …

The National Safety Council is celebrating National Safety Month throughout all of June. This is a great chance for us to reflect on how we can improve our home and work practices to increase safety.  This year they are focusing on many important topics such as: prescription painkiller abuse, transportation safety, emergency preparedness, and the dangers of slips and falls.Tips for Home SafetyThere are many small changes we can all make to increase the safety of our homes and our jobs.  Many p …

Common Questions Regarding Using Medical Tape with Your Ostomy SystemProblem: The edges of my ostomy wafer are peeling up when I am in the pool or when it is hot and I am sweating. Solution:3M Blenderm is a waterproof plastic tape. The waterproof aspect of this tape will help it stand up to the pool or even sweat from the summer heat.  The best way to tape an ostomy wafer is to "frame" the outside edges with the tape. Literally making a picture frame of tape, make sure the tape is half on the wa …