Instructed patient to check your skin and the back of your skin barrier each time you change your pouching system. You can use a mirror to check your skin under the stoma. Look for any places where stool or urine may have leaked under the skin barrier and onto your skin. When you apply your next pouching system these areas may need some extra reinforcement with skin barrier strips, rings or paste.
Instructed patient when you have a stoma that drains urine or loose stool you may want to consider using an extended wear skin barrier because it will give your skin added protection. Itching or burning under the skin barrier may indicate that you have leakage, a skin rash, or a skin infection. You need to remove your pouching system as soon as possible to check your skin for any irritation.
Empty your pouch when one-third to one-half full. Change your skin barrier every 3-7 days. You should not experience frequent leakage of your pouch seal. If you do, consult a WOC Nurse. Usually soap is not needed to clean the peristomal skin. If you use soap, make sure it does not contain any oils or lotions that can interfere with adhesives. Always rinse your skin and dry completely before you adhere the new pouch. After you apply your skin barrier, hold it in place against your skin for about one minute. This will help to activate the adhesive. You can shower, bathe, or swim with your ostomy after you are cleared by your physician. If you are using a bedside collection bag, clean it daily with a recommended solution to help minimize odor, crystal formation, and bacteria.
Instructed patient call your doctor if it is does not get better when you treat it.If your stoma is leaking, your skin will get sore, be sure to treat any skin redness or skin changes right away, when the problem is still small. Do not allow the sore area to become larger or more irritated before asking your doctor about it, If your stoma becomes longer than usual (sticks out from the skin more), try a cold compress, like ice wrapped in a towel, to make it go in.
Instructed patient If you do put tape around the skin barrier edges do not remove the tape after water activities. Removing the
tape may cause the skin barrier to loosen. It is helpful to hold your skin smooth as you put your pouching system on to avoid wrinkles that may lead to leakage.
Instructed patient the stoma is your bowel. It is protected by mucus so stool or urine won’t hurt it. A stoma rarely becomes infected. The most important thing is to protect the skin around your stoma. A correct fitting pouching system is the best way to prevent an infection of your skin. If there is a small leak under my skin barrier, is it okay to patch it with tape or paste: Always change your pouching system at the first signs of leakage.
Instructed patient If there is a small leak under my skin barrier, is it okay to patch it with tape or paste: Do not try to patch the pouching system with tape or paste. A leak under the skin barrier should not be fixed. Leaving a leaking pouch on can cause skin irritation. Always empty your pouch before it is half-full. Release gas before the pouch gets too full. If you have a lot of gas, you may want to consider using a pouch with a vent or filter.
Instructed patient in some cases of colostomy, skin irritation or infection can result from stool that leaks under the bag. A hernia can develop around a colostomy, and the bowel may become narrow. Taking good care of your stoma and eating a balanced diet can help you avoid these problems. Pouching systems are waterproof. However, you may feel more secure if you wear an ostomy belt or put
tape around the edges of your skin barrier when you are in the water.
Instructed patient measure your stoma once a week for the first 6 to 8 weeks after your ostomy surgery. Your stoma shrinks while it is healing and you need to keep measuring so you can make sure that the opening in the skin barrier is the right size for your stoma. Remeasure your stoma if any irritation develops between the stoma and skin barrier wafer.
Skilled nurse teaching how patient performed colostomy care , washed the stoma itself and the skin around the stoma with soft paper towels, mild soap and water. Measured the stoma, cut out the opening, removed the paper back and set it aside. Finally hold the punch with the sticky side toward your body. Center the opening on the stoma , then press firmly abdomen for 30 seconds.