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UOA FACTS AND FIGURES
By: Mary Jane Wolfe, Via: Ostomy Association of Boston, March/April 1999
It is estimated that between 42,000 and 65,000 ostomy surgeries are done each year. Temporary ostomy surgeries now comprise more than 50% of all ostomy surgeries. It is estimated that about 750,000 people in the United States wear appliances. Of the nurses who make up the membership of WOCN, about 80% of their time is spent on wound care and less than 20% devoted to care for ostomates. The average length of a hospital stay for ostomy surgery is 36 hours. Between 30% and 40% of ostomates purchase their supplies through a mail order company. About 5% of colorectal cancer patients require some type of ostomy surgery. About 2% of bladder cancer patients require some type of ostomy surgery. In the past, the UOA has averaged between 6,000 and 8,000 new members each year. In 1999, there were about 2,500 new members. About 45-50% of UOA's income is from membership dues. The average age of UOA's membership is 73 years; 3% are in the 25-39 year age range, 30% are in the 40-65 year age range, and 64% are in the 65-90 year range. Of our members, 35% are colostomates, 35% are ileostomates, 12% are urostomates, 2% have continent procedures, and 16% are non-ostomates. I know that statistics may lie, but I think many of these facts are rather interesting, and I will leave you to form your own conclusions.
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