How to Empty the Ostomy Pouch

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.