Changing Your 2-Piece Ostomy Pouch A 2-piece pouch system has a skin barrier wafer or flange and a snap-on pouch. You can switch your pouch every 1-3 days. Change your barrier wafer or flange as your WOCN (Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse) tells you or when you have a leak. As a rule, you should change your barrier every 3-7 days or as the brand maker suggests. If you find a leak or your skin begins to burn or itch, change your barrier right away.
Tips to remember
Peristomal skin care
• The best time to change your
Take good care of the skin around your stoma. Any opening on your skin raises your risk for infection. So, keep the skin around the stoma clean.
pouch is before you eat or drink anything for the day. • When changing your pouch, leave a little air in it to keep it from sticking to the moist stoma. • After changing your pouch, wait 2 hours before you shower. On days that you change your pouch, you can remove the pouch and shower with the pouch off.
I f you notice any signs of irritation or infection, call your doctor or WOCN right away.
The signs of skin irritation Every time you change your pouch, check your stoma and skin for any signs of irritation: • fever above 101°F (38.3°C)
by mouth • red or broken area on skin
around your stoma • stinging when sealant is put on • pain in your abdomen (belly)
Copyright © 2002-2015 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.
Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc.
Atlanta, GA Bringing Patients & Health Together Since 1973 ®
800-241-4925
Product # 436
Changing Your 2-Piece Ostomy Pouch Pouch changing steps 1. First get all of your supplies ready: a pouch and barrier, a pattern and scissors (if cutting the flange), adhesive remover, a plastic trash bag, warm water, stoma paste (if you use it), skin sealant and soft wash cloths (or paper towels). 2. Empty your old pouch. Wash and dry your hands. 3. Apply adhesive remover and take off the used flange and pouch by gently lifting any tape around the flange. Be careful not to hurt your skin. Save the clamp for later. 4. Use one hand to hold the flange. With your other hand, use a damp cloth or paper towel to gently push your skin away from where the flange is stuck. Use more remover if needed. 5. Put the used flange in the plastic bag. Wash your hands again.
8.
Get your new flange ready.
If you cut it out, measure your stoma and cut the flange using the correct sized pattern. Remove the paper from the back of the new flange. 9. Check the skin around your stoma for redness or rash. 10.
e sure your skin is dry. Center B the new flange over your stoma and press it to your skin. Snap the pouch on the flange. Put the clamp on.
11.
I f you use tape around the flange, be sure to use skin sealant first and let it dry. Then tape as you were taught.
12.
ut all other items in the plastic P bag, tie it off and throw it away.
13.
Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
6. Gently wash your skin and stoma with a soft cloth or paper towel and warm water. Put the throw away items in the plastic bag. 7. Check your stoma. Note any change in size or color, any cuts or unusual bleeding. You may see a small amount of bleeding when you clean your stoma. This is OK. Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc.
Atlanta, GA Bringing Patients & Health Together Since 1973 ÂŽ
800-241-4925
Copyright Š 2002-2015 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.