Ileostomy Care

Ileostomy surgery is a process to pull an end of the small intestine out through a cut in the belly. This diversion of the small bowel allows wastes to leave the body from the newly created abdominal opening, known as the stoma.

After the procedure, your nurse will teach you how to wear and change an ostomy pouch to manage your ileostomy in the best way possible. It is necessary to change that pouch a couple of times to make sure that you have learned the process well. In this article, we will discuss tips on how to change your ileostomy pouch.

First, you will need to gather all supplies that you need. Those supplies include the following.

• Plastic bags
• Toilet paper
• Clean towel
• Skin protection products
• Washcloth
• New ostomy pouch

Removing the used ostomy pouch

• You will need to empty the ostomy pouch if you are using the drainable version. For this purpose, remove the clamp and squeeze waste contents out of the bag. Place the clamp aside.
• Sit on the toilet.
• Start removing the skin barrier from its upper side. Push the skin away from the skin barrier and, at the same time, pull the skin barrier away from the skin. You are going to need to use both hands during this process.
• Peel the entire skin barrier this way. Put the used pouch in a plastic bag and seal it. Put it in another bag and throw it in a trash can.

Cleaning the skin around the stoma

• Use toilet paper to wipe any stool off the peristomal skin.
• Use warm water to clean the skin around the stoma. Use a soft washcloth during the process.
• Use a clean towel to pat the skin dry.
• You may want to use extra skin protection if you think that your peristomal skin won’t hold the new ostomy pouch for long. The skin protection can be in the form of moisture barrier cream, paste, or powder.

Putting on the new ostomy pouch

• You will need to use a cut-to-fit ostomy pouch if you cannot use a precut ostomy pouch. A cut-to-fit ostomy pouch allows you to create a skin barrier opening of the shape and size of your stoma.
• Peel the backing off the adhesive side of the skin barrier. Place it over the stoma while making sure that the skin barrier’s opening fits around it nicely.
• Start pressing the skin barrier from the bottom using your fingertips and move all the way up. Lay palms of your hands over the skin barrier and keep them in place for 45 seconds. It will mold the skin barrier to your peristomal skin.
• Secure the bottom of the ostomy pouch using its closure mechanism, or use a clip to seal it.

When to call an ostomy care nurse

You will need to contact your ostomy care nurse if:

• The skin around the stoma shows any signs of complications, such as redness, itchiness, and bleeding.
• There are white spots, burns, or stings around the stoma.
• There is swelling, change of color, or bleeding in the stoma.
• The stoma seems sunk in the skin or seems overly protruded.