What should be paid attention to when changing the ostomy bag?

A colostomy bag is an accessory used to help patients manage the contents of their colon.

The replacement of the colostomy bag requires special attention to the following points:

Preparation tools :

Ostomy tray, glue remover, towels, scissors, Skin Protective Spray, Skin Protective Powder, Ostomy Measure Card

Before changing the colostomy bag, it needs to be cleaned first. Wash the pouch with warm water and soap, and pat dry with a towel. Do not use any disinfectants or bleach as these chemicals may damage the pouch.

To replace the ostomy bag :

Untie the ends of the pouch separately to make changing them easier. Please be careful not to use too much force when unfastening the ostomy bag, so as not to damage the ostomy bag.

To tear off the stoma tray:

Spray some glue remover first, so that it is easy to tear off. When replacing the stoma chassis, you must be slow and gentle when tearing off the chassis. Or if it is not easy to tear, tearing it off with strong force will have a tearing effect on the skin. Once it is torn, it will be very troublesome to replace the stoma, and it will be more difficult to take care of.

Clean surrounding skin:

Clean the skin, use a towel to wipe the surrounding skin to ensure that there is no residue or dirt, after drying, use Skin Protective Powder to spray on the skin to keep the skin dry, and then apply Skin Protective Spray on this layer of skin to form a layer of protective film.

Measuring the stoma tray:

Use the Ostomy Measure Card to measure the size and shape of the stoma. When cutting the bottom plate with scissors, the opening should be 1-2mm larger than the diameter of the stoma.

Paste the chassis:

When the glue on the chassis of the ostomy bag is hard in winter and it is not conducive to sticking, you can use a hot water cup or a hair dryer to heat it up to soften the glue and increase its viscosity.

Wearing an ostomy bag:

Fit the new colostomy bag to the new chassis, and adjust the position of the colostomy bag as needed. Note that when fitting the pouch, make sure it fits properly so that it does not cause discomfort or pain.

check :

After changing the colostomy bag, it needs to be checked for damage or wear. If the ostomy bag is found to be damaged or worn, it needs to be replaced in time.

In short, changing the colostomy bag is a very important job and needs to be done carefully. Only by changing the ostomy bag correctly can the patient's physical safety and comfort be ensured

Also note that:

1. Stoma supplies should be stored in a cool place to avoid deterioration over time.

2. The skin around the stoma can be washed with warm water. It is strictly forbidden to use iodine, alcohol, potassium permanganate, and other irritating skin disinfectants for cleaning. Irritant skin disinfectants will dry and dehydrate the skin, reduce resistance, and easily lead to dermatitis.

3. Pay attention to washing hands before and after stoma care.

4. If it is difficult to see the stoma when changing the stoma bag, use a mirror to help observe the stoma.

5. After the wound is healed, you can take a shower after wearing the ostomy bag or tearing off the ostomy bag.

6. Ostomy bag The ostomy bag is normally replaced once every 3-5 days and should be replaced at any time if there is leakage.

For more information on Innomed® Skin Protective Spray, refer to the previous articles. If you have customized needs, you are welcome to contact us; we will serve you wholeheartedly. At Longterm Medical, we transform this data by innovating and developing products that make life easier for those who need loving care.

Editor: kiki Jia

Date: May 12, 2023