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Medical Monks: Why We’re Different

Whether Shopping on Mobile or Desktop – We’ve Got You Covered

Here at Medical Monks, we always have our minds set on how to make your experience better. If you’re here reading this, chances are you’ve at least looked around the site a bit and have some sense of what makes us unique: Our prices are industry-wide bottom-barrel. Our navigation, including search and filter functionality, is top-notch and constantly getting better. Pages load quickly with little fuss. The site design is clean, welcoming and informative without being overwhelming. All that stuff is apparent in a few quick glances.

 

But what may not be obvious is the work we put in behind the scenes to make sure all our customers are satisfied with every aspect of dealing with Medical Monks. While it’s true that our staff have many years of combined customer service experience in the medical industry and elsewhere, it’s also true that those qualifications by themselves don’t mean much without the overriding mission and attitude that unites our associates. The long and short of it is compassion – for both sick and healthy, for our customers and anyone in need. Our representatives were hired for this quality, rather than, say, the ability to upsell someone into something they don’t need.

 

Lots of companies say they’re customer focused, but too often the lie is put to that claim when they come into contact with the public. Some of these companies have become so large that any individual’s satisfaction means relatively little to them, statistically. If they permanently lose a customer due to inflated pricing or employee indifference, it means nothing to their bottom line. Not so with us. We are, in fact, smaller than the big boys in the industry. And while that does give us a monetary motivation to keep our customers happy, it’s also about much more than that. Foremost in our associate’s minds is the knowledge that each person on the other end of the line is a human being with thoughts and feelings and worries and personal history. We know that health problems can be frustrating and they can make you scared, whether you’re the patient or a loved one.  Given this, we don’t think you should need to be stressed about obtaining necessary supplies. We’ll worry about that for you – you worry about getting better.  Less time worrying about buying medical supplies . . . means more time snuggling your dog ; )

 

To that end, we’ve been working to make it as easy as possible to deal with us in any way whatsoever. First, we’re available anytime during extended business hours (M-F 9-8 Eastern) over the phone, where we’re ready to help you with nearly anything. We also have an email address – customercare@medicalmonks.com – which is monitored daily for communications regarding any and all Medical Monks issues. We also use it to follow up with folks who may have had problems with their orders. You can also use any of the above communication methods to process returns. In the rare cases where it’s needed, we do our best to administer our return policy in a fair and transparent manner. We’ll always communicate personally about any product return issues.

 

That said, part of the allure of an online store is the simplicity and automation. For example, finding products is a breeze. Our in-site search function is quick and intuitive – even for those who are less technologically inclined. And if there’s a problem nonetheless, we’re available during business hours and more for communication over LiveChat – an easy-to-use application integrated into the site that allows you to connect personally with a representative in a chat window. There, representatives can help you with anything from checkout troubles to product troubleshooting.

 

Speaking of checkout, it’s also quite easy. Our new and improved auto-complete functionality pairs with Google Maps to allow for quick input of shipping information. You can also have that information stored for future orders (among other perks, like free shipping) by creating an account on our memberships page. Keep in mind, though, that we are committed to security and never store credit card information at any time.

All in all, it’s just a few simple steps and your package is on its way. Make sure to include your email address to receive a confirmation and a tracking number.

 

Believe it or not, doing good, rather than making a dollar, was the ultimate impetus for the creation of this company. And no matter how hectic things are, or how many phone lines are ringing, or how deep in orders the warehouse gets – we don’t forget there’s a person on the other end of whatever momentary struggle we’re in. That’s just a long-winded way of saying we care, and are committed to your health and the health of those you love. That’s why we’re different.

 

Adam Page

About the Author

Adam Page is a Continuing Care Specialist for Medical Monks, Inc.  Medical Monks is medical supply retailer serving consumers and businesses across the United States since 2016.  Reach out to our Care Specialist team at customercare@medicalmonks.com.  With a combined 125+ years of experience in the medical supply industry, our specialists can answer any question in the categories of ostomy, wound care, urology and skin care.

The Ostomy Files:  Combating the Scourge of Unwanted Leakage Part 2: Accessories

The Ostomy Files:  Combating the Scourge of Unwanted Leakage

Part 2:  Accessories

Welcome back friends! In Part 1 of this series we discussed the proper use of barriers in preventing leakage around your stoma. Now we’ll look at a few of the supplemental products designed to help achieve that same purpose!

Paste

Paste should be applied around the outside of the stoma, filling any gaps that may be left between the stoma and inside edge of the barrier. The paste will dry into a rubbery substance, forming a seal that provides an added layer of protection and helps keep output away from the peristomal skin. As we discussed previously, it is vital to keep the area directly around the stoma free from leakage, which can potentially cause severe skin ailments.

Also, it’s very important to keep in mind that stoma paste is in no way an adhesive. Many people hear the word paste and they think of the goopy rubber cement they remember from elementary school. But, in fact, it has no sticky properties whatsoever. If you were to spread stoma paste underneath your barrier before sticking it to your stomach (more people try this than you’d think), it would fall off very quickly. Instead think of it as like caulking you’d squirt around your bathtub – something to fill in the cracks.

 

Rings

Some manufacturers call them barrier rings. Others call them stoma rings or wax donuts or barrier seals. Whatever the terminology, they’re simply small circles made from a tacky, putty-like substance. They can be stretched, scrunched or sculpted to fit snugly around the stoma. They fill the gaps, just like paste.

Rings were in fact developed as an alternative to paste, which requires time to dry after application and often contains alcohol, which can sting sensitive peristomal skin. The idea was to create a product that does everything paste does but better, and with none of the drawbacks. For the majority of people, rings simply do a better job of obstructing leakage while being easier to apply and remove. By doing away with the need to squeeze out a substance from a tube, manufacturers created a product much more friendly to those with dexterity issues. Also beneficial is the lack of crusty leftovers stuck to the skin that are so often the bane of paste users. It can take lots of adhesive remover to get that stuff off (more on adhesive remover products in a future post).

Rings are also quite versatile. They come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses and convexities. This provides maximum accommodation for various ostomy situations. Depending on your needs, rings can be pulled apart and used in pieces if necessary – a feature particularly useful to those with irregular or oblong stomas. This is also beneficial in cases where there are dips in the skin around the stoma due to surgery scars. In these instances, rings can be used in pieces to fill in valleys and create a flat surface for the barrier to adhere.

 

Barrier Extenders

Barrier extender strips are another fairly recent addition to the accessory cannon. This time, the aim was to improve upon simple medical tape. Even though barriers these days are quite advanced – being made of space-age caliber flex materials and featuring state-of-the-art adhesives – there are still many people who are in need of extra security.

For years ostomates had used tape around the edges of barriers for security and peace-of-mind. This was especially true for those carrying a little extra around the midsection or whose ostomies were located in less than ideal places, such as between skin folds. Those folks now have a much better option. Again, out of marketing necessity, barrier extenders go by different names depending on the manufacturer. But they are all essentially the same thing: thin, flexible strips, meant to be used in pairs or groups of three to form a frame around the barrier, conforming to skin contours and keeping the barrier edges from peeling up. Most are curved, shaped like crescent moons that form a circle when combined. Certain manufacturers also make strips that are extra-large or straight strips, for those used to the old tape strips. Some are also Y-shaped, which are designed to retain adhesion of barriers located inside skin folds.

The sticky side of the strips are formulated with hydrocolloid, a substance developed to be safe and comfortable on skin and also to promote healing. Aside from being generally good for the skin, hydrocolloid also allows for a rather surprising second use for barrier strips. Many folks who suffer from skin irritation around the stoma tend to use the strips underneath rather than on top of, the barrier. This gives them a layer of protection from the barrier’s adhesive and allows the skin to heal.

*          *          *

Well, there you have it – a few examples of products that each do a little to make an ostomate’s life easier. We’ll chronicle even more in the next installment. Until then, be sure to check out these products and more on Medical Monks dot com!

Adam Page

About the Author

Adam Page is a Continuing Care Specialist for Medical Monks, Inc.  Medical Monks is medical supply retailer serving consumers and businesses across the United States since 2016.  Reach out to our Care Specialist team at customercare@medicalmonks.com.  With a combined 125+ years of experience in the medical supply industry, our specialists can answer any question in the categories of ostomy, wound care, urology and skin care.

Common Hiking Injuries – Top Treatments and Products

I wanted to share a link to a NEW blog post from our friends at Montem Outdoor Gear.  Montem is a hiking gear development company.  Their mission is to develop high quality hiking gear at a great price.  Their products are designed by the Montem innovation team in New York.

But why am I sharing a blog post from a hiking gear company when Medical Monks is a medical supply retailer?  Well, because they just wrote a great blog post about common hiking injuries which I thought was fantastic and worth sharing.

Many people come to Medical Monks because they have a chronic health condition to include conditions that require advanced wound care supplies – conditions like diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, etc..  We also do get people coming to to us to purchase wound care supplies for common household injuries like burns, cuts or scrapes.

But it didn’t occur to me until I read this post from the folks at Montem that there are a lot of hikers out there and a lot of hiking injuries that need treatment both potentially in the field (on the hike) or after the hiker sees a doctor and needs supplies to treat their hiking wound.

Here is the link to the Montem blog post – read and enjoy!

https://montemlife.com/common-hiking-injuries-and-how-to-treat-them/

And of course, just to let you know, Medical Monk sells wound care in the following categories – many of which are applicable to the hiking wound injuries that are detailed in the above Montem blog post – click on any of the following links to browse for products you may want to stock up your first aid kit!

Advanced Wound Dressings

Gauze

Wound Care Prep

Traditional Wound Care

Tapes

First Aid

Wound Fillers

Bandages

Other Wound Care

In addition to the wound care, typically on a hike you’ll want to keep handy SKIN CARE products in your first aid or other kit you are carrying . . . Here are the categories for these types of products – click on any of the links to browse and shop : )

Skin Protectants

Cuts or Inflammation

Moisturizers

Personal Hygiene

Skin Care Accessories

Skin Cleansers

Antifungals

Accenture executive head shots coordinated by Cathy Powers.

About the Author

Scott Hetland is President of Medical Monks, Inc. with experience in the Medical Industry for last 12 years.  Medical Monks is medical supply retailer serving consumers and businesses across the United States since 2016.  Reach Scott at scott.hetland@medicalmonks.com.

The Ostomy Files:  Combating the Scourge of Unwanted Leakage Part 1:  Barriers

The Ostomy Files:  Combating the Scourge of Unwanted Leakage

Part 1:  Barriers

When it comes to ostomy products, leakage is your enemy. If you want to keep your pouch secure and, more importantly, keep the skin around your stoma healthy, output anywhere but inside the pouch is to be avoided at all costs. No matter which ostomy procedure you underwent, the output from your stoma is acidic, and if left in contact with the skin for a period of time can cause redness, sores and even open wounds. Your first line of defense against these kinds of unfortunate situations is, appropriately enough, the barrier.

You may know it as the wafer, or the patch, or as “the circle thing that sticks to my stomach.” Whatever you call it, it’s the single most important element of your ostomy setup.

A barrier’s main job – really its only job – is to stick. Maintaining the barrier’s adhesion is critical if you don’t want a mess on your hands. If it’s starting to peel or pop off after a short period of time – say, less than a day after it’s applied – leakage around the stoma is most often the culprit. In most cases, choosing the correct barrier will avoid these problems.

Stoma Shape and Cut-to-Fit vs. Pre-Cut

A good place to start when selecting a barrier is to take stock of the size and shape of your stoma. Ideally, it will be round and protrude from your skin about an inch. The idea is for the stoma to peek up through the hole in the center of the barrier and be snugly nestled inside, thereby allowing the output to drain safely into the pouch without compromising the skin or creeping underneath the inside edges. If you’re one of those lucky few with a perfect stoma – whose surgery went smoothly and body cooperated flawlessly – then your stoma type is well suited for an easy fit in a standard, flat barrier. But as we all know, very few things in life are perfect. Stomas are no exception.

So what’s the solution for all the imperfect stomas out there? Enterprising medical manufacturers have developed a wide range of products designed to accommodate most ostomy conditions.

Say your stoma does protrude but, like most, it isn’t in the shape of a perfect circle. Whether it’s an oval or a trapezoid, you’re probably still a good match for a flat barrier. Start off by measuring the diameter at its widest point. Then select a barrier that fits that range. If you’re using a cut-to-fit, follow the circular pattern that matches your measurement.

If you’re new to this and like the idea of using a pre-cut barrier, you should keep a few things in mind. Most important is that the stoma will usually fluctuate in size for a time after the surgery. That’s why almost all hospitals initially set up new ostomates with pre-cut models. Since pre-cut barriers are one-size-only you could run into major problems if your stoma grows or shrinks a millimeter or two. Be sure that your stoma size is fixed before you commit to a pre-cut model. Another concern should be accessories. If you decide to use a barrier ring or paste, you may want to experiment with different opening sizes to get the desired fit. So you should be sure of your accessory arrangement before committing as well.

In both of these scenarios, there will likely be extra space at certain points between the stoma and the edge of the barrier. But don’t fret. There are products, such as the aforementioned moldable rings and paste, that are designed to fill in the gaps. We’ll get into those in a later installment.

Convexity

Perhaps your stoma barely protrudes, or doesn’t protrude at all. Or maybe it’s flush with the skin or even inverted (i.e. sunken down below the surface of the skin). These are common issues that may be the result of surgical conditions or sometimes occur because the patient has a little extra baggage in the tummy region. Whatever the cause, there are products that can help. Most manufacturers we sell here at Medical Monks offer a line of convex barriers.

Convex barriers were developed to allow a stubborn stoma to poke through. Rather than being a flat disc, a convex barrier slopes down towards the center. They’re also generally made with sturdier material, which allows the slope to gently push down the skin surrounding the stoma, forcing the little guy to push up through the center hole.

Over the years, manufacturers have developed many variations of the convex barrier, including soft and light convexity, which are more flexible discs that allow for maximum comfort even as the stoma is held securely in place. There are also more sturdy models, like deep convex barriers, which are generally used for more extreme cases, like inverted stomas, or for folks with a little more heft in the midsection.

Convexity has probably been the most significant advance in ostomy management technology. Thousands of ostomates are able to live normal lives because of it. If you’re having trouble keeping your stoma in the correct position, chances are convexity is the answer.

A Note About One-Piece Pouching Systems

If you’re a one-piece user you’ve probably noticed this post refers (at least implicitly) to the barrier as a separate entity from the pouch. However, the pointers outlined above are equally applicable to one-piece systems. It’s industry standard for nearly all barrier models to be available in one and two-piece configurations. So whatever your pouching preference, all the benefits of barrier technology will be available to you.

 

So, there you have it: barriers broken down. Next time on the Ostomy Files we’ll discuss the various accessories available on the market and how they can help you guard against the ever-present creep of moisture around your stoma. See you then!

Adam Page

About the Author

Adam Page is a Continuing Care Specialist for Medical Monks, Inc.  Medical Monks is medical supply retailer serving consumers and businesses across the United States since 2016.  Reach out to our Care Specialist team at customercare@medicalmonks.com.  With a combined 125+ years of experience in the medical supply industry, our specialists can answer any question in the categories of ostomy, wound care, urology and skin care.

Why Would You Pay For Your Own Medical Supplies?

Insurance is great except . . .  

The are many reason people come to Medical Monks to buy their medical supplies.  Great prices, fast shipping, knowledgeable customer care associates, the list goes on . . . but why on earth would anyone pay for their own medical supplies? 

We talk to a lot of customers who call us and want to place a phone order for their medical supplies.  Customers share their situation and many are quick to tell us why they are calling and paying for their own supplies.  Here are the top 5 reasons they give:

1. No Health Insurance

  • If you don’t have health insurance, but have a chronic illness, you will need to pay cash for your medical supplies.  However, unfortunately many in this situation forgo treating their chronic condition with the medical supplies they need.

 

2. High-Deductible Health Plan

  • Many Americans now have higher deductibles to meet before their health insurance benefits kick in. While we understand that having a higher deductible usually means lower monthly premiums and that some benefits, like preventative care, are covered before you meet your deductible, almost all plans require you meet your entire individual or family deductible before your supplies are covered. Especially at the beginning of the year, this can mean paying entirely out of pocket for your supplies.
  • Even if you have insurance, you may prefer to shop online and pay cash for medical supplies. While most online suppliers will not bill your health insurance (most of them aren’t contracted with any insurances at all) some will and many will provide you with a list of codes so that you can submit the bill to your insurance. While you won’t receive anything back from your insurance, you will receive “credit” towards your deductible. Especially if you or another family members expects to use your insurance throughout the year, you want to make sure every dollar you spend out of pocket is counted towards your deductible.
  • You should also consider using your HSA (health savings account) or FSA (flexible spending account) funds to pay for supplies. Save your receipts!

 

3. Dealing With Health Insurance Is Too Complicated

  • Some patients choose to pay for certain procedures or supplies with cash because they don’t want to deal with the hassle of authorizations, co-insurances, explanation of benefit statements, and the list goes on.

 

4. Don’t Like Your Health Insurance authorized Medical Supplier

  • Your health insurance company may only authorize certain providers for your medical supplies.  If you have limited options and don’t like the customer service, locations or product offerings from the contracted provider, you’re stuck.
  • We especially hear from customers who say their insurance covers only certain types of products and in only certain quantities.  If a customer wants high quality supplies and in the quantities they need many times they will have to pay out-of-pocket.

 

5. Like the Convenience of Ordering Supplies Online From A Specific Vendor

  • We hear from many customers who would rather pay cash and have a choice about where they receive their medical supplies. Some have had a bad experience with their insurance’s contracted provider or have heard from family or friends about better convenience, service, support and ultimately better value from an on-line retailer like Medical Monks.

I hope this helps spell-out many of the reasons people are reaching for their credit or debit cards to get the supplies they need.  If you have reasons not listed hear I’d love to hear from you by dropping me a note at scott.hetland@medicalmonks.com.

 

Accenture executive head shots coordinated by Cathy Powers.

About the Author

Scott Hetland is President of Medical Monks, Inc. with experience in the Medical Industry for last 12 years.  Medical Monks is medical supply retailer serving consumers and businesses across the United States since 2016.  Reach Scott at scott.hetland@medicalmonks.com.

Improving Ostomy Quality of Life with Adhesives

As the Beatles lyric goes “Its a long and winding road!”

Applying ostomy appliances securely and safely can also be a long and winding road to success. Without proper application, there is greater risk of skin irritation, discomfort or the need for time consuming reapplication.

I am always on the lookout for good articles to pass along to our visitors / customers.  Here is a great article from our friends at Hy-Tape on the subject of Adhesives:

Ostomy Adhesives

Here at Medical Monks we sell a variety of Hy-Tape products – click here to see our selection:

Hy-Tape Products Sold By Medical Monks

I hope you benefit from this blog post – take care.

Scott

For more information about MEDICAL MONKS and advice on Ostomy products please visit our website at https://www.medicalmonks.com or call us at 844-859-9400.

 

Accenture executive head shots coordinated by Cathy Powers.

About the Author

Scott Hetland is President of Medical Monks, Inc..  Medical Monks is medical supply retailer serving consumers and businesses across the United States.   Reach Scott at scott.hetland@medicalmonks.com.

COLOPLAST Brava Protective Seal

The new Brava Protective Rings are a welcome update to the Brava Mouldable Rings.  Find out why in this video review by Vegan Ostomy!  Published on May 9, 2017
Purchase this product at medicalmonks.com by clicking here.
Product Description:

The Brava Protective Seal creates a seal between stoma and baseplate and is designed to protect against leakage and protect the skin. The seal is also easy to shape to fit around your stoma, to apply and to remove from your skin.

The Brava Protective Seal has a new polymer formulation that is designed to protect against leakage and protect the skin, thereby providing dual protection. It is easy to shape so it fits snugly around the stoma and can be applied over skin with dips, creases and folds. When it’s time to remove your barrier, the seal can be removed easily and cleanly, together with the barrier, leaving minimal residue behind.

The Brava Protective Seal seals any gaps between the skin around the stoma and the ostomy barrier/wafer. A new polymer formulation makes it resistant to aggressive output, so it will not disintegrate or get broken down by the output that comes into contact with it. The new polymer formulation helps to maintain healthy skin in two distinct ways. First, it absorbs moisture like sweat and oils from the skin’s surface. Secondly, when removed, it leaves minimal residue behind. This makes the skin around the stoma easier to clean. Brava Protective Seal is easy to shape, so it fits snugly around the stoma and can be applied over skin with dips, creases and folds. The seal will stay firmly in place, but when the time comes for removal, it can be pulled cleanly and easily away from the skin.

New Freedom

Living with a Stoma – The Patient Perspective

Attitude

Living with a Stoma – The Patient Perspective

Love & Sex

Living with a Stoma – The Patient Perspective