HOW TO CHANGE A COLOSTOMY BAG ON AN IRREGULAR SHAPED COLOSTOMY SITE

HOW TO CHANGE A COLOSTOMY BAG ON AN IRREGULAR SHAPED COLOSTOMY SITE

   The most important part of caring for a colostomy is to remember that there is a person attached to it.  Treat them with the same respect and dignity that you gave them before they had the surgery.

   It goes so much smoother when you collect all of the equipment you will need when you change a colostomy bag.  We will demonstrate how we change a one piece colostomy bag on an irregular shaped colostomy site.  In the video, I am not wearing gloves because I am changing the bag on my family member.  If I were performing this task for anyone else, I would wear gloves to protect myself from any disease they might have.

   The equipment includes:

• plastic zipper bag for disposal
• the one piece colostomy bag
• warm water
• clean wash cloth
• paper towels
• non-drying soap
• sizzors
• template
• powder
• skin protector wipes
• skin barrier ring conforming seal
• elastic barrier strips (optional)

   Remove the colostomy bag.  Wipe off excess stool from the skin around the stoma if there is any. Wash the skin with warm soapy water, rinse.  If there is any stool on the intestines that you can see, remove it with the rinsed out wash cloth.  Dry the area.  Measure the opening and cut the one piece colostomy bag to size.  Cut an opening in the wafer to the desired size.  Apply powder to the clean, dry skin surrounding the stoma and wipe on the skin protector.  Mold the conforming seal to the desired shape and apply to the skin AROUND the stoma, keeping it off to the protruding intestines.  Remove the plastic cover from the colostomy bag and finally place the wafer over the stoma site.  This colostomy bag has paper covering the skin protector in this particular model, so you will need to remove the paper to seal the skin protector to the skin.  Place your hands over the flange to warm it slightly for a better seal.  Clean up the area and wash your hands.

   The video might be misleading about where to place the elastic barrier strip, so here is a photo of it placed over the skin protector:

You are encouraged to leave a comment.  If you have a question about anything you saw in the video, leave a comment with your e-mail address and I will do my best to provide you with the proper answer.

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