For ostomates, one part of the preparation and adaption
includes emptying the pouch or stoma.
Not doing this can make it uncomfortable, and it can cause leakage. It
also is painful because the weight of this will pull the skin down. While it does become an everyday duty over
time, it definitely isn’t fun, and there are ways to make this faster, safer
and cleaner. Ostomy surgeries do take a bit of time to heal, and you might need
to make some changes to the quality of life that you have after surgery. It
also can be time consuming, and you also might have trouble at first. You’ll want to make sure that you have
guidance from your nurse before you begin, and you should understand how to use
pastes, adhesives, and the like before you start with the process.
Now, before you begin, you should consider adding toilet
paper to the inside before you empty the bag to prevent splashes. If the stool is thick, try to add some water
and move it about to soften during the emptying process. You can use a sanitizer
and some wipes as needed. You might neeto
also get some water and soap if it’s not available. Whenever possible, use
thick toilet paper. Finally, try to
watch your diet, since it can cause changes to the excreta after surgery, and
for a lot of ostomates, it can cause some underlying effects which aren’t good
for you.
So, when should you empty the pouch? Well, it depends. Some
people can do it every day, but some can do it every other day, and it really
depends on the type of stool, the volume of the stoma output, and the shape of
the skin barrier, and of course your preferences. For urine, it might be a lot more, like a few
times a day, and for those with ileostomies, it might be more frequent as well,
since the contents that come out tend to be not as solid.
For the most part, you can also use the same adhesive slips
if there is no issues with the way it looks when you remove.
So when is the appropriate time to empty this? well, you
should avoid meal times and visiting hours, and you should make sure that the
pouch is changed before mealtimes, and before any medications that do cause
bowel movements are administered. If possible, take the patient to the toilet
if they feel embarrassed about this. you
should have them standing or sitting if possible to create a tight adhesion to
the seal.
To empty this, you take the pouch when it’s at least a third to two thirds of the excreta, so the weight of the bulk doesn’t break down, and it allows for the excreta to not contact the skin. From there, you press and push the outtake down to the bottom, and then fold it towards the bottom. Remove the clamp and face the toile, then push it out of the bag and into the toilet. If the stool is thick, carry a bottle of water to help with this. you should use your hand to control as needed, and make sure it isn’t too wide, so it doesn’t cause splashing. When you finish pouring this into the toilet, clean with a tip or wipe, and if you’re using toilet paper, use water to clean it. Then unfold the bag, stretch it, and then close the back.
And there you go, that’s all you need to know about emptying
the stoma pouch, so you do it effectively.
