Colostomy
A colostomy is a surgical opening from the colon through the abdominal wall to the outside of the body. The purpose is for waste products (stool) to leave the body. A colostomy is performed for a variety of reasons including cancer, infections and certain diseases. Occasionally, the colostomy is only temporary until the colon heals and then it is reversed, but most of the time a colostomy is permanent.
1. Empty the colostomy drainage bag several times each day. It's best to empty the bag before it gets too full to prevent leaks and spills.
2. Remove the old colostomy bag by detaching it carefully from the skin every four to six days and discard it.
3. Thoroughly clean the skin around the stoma and dry thoroughly. The skin around the stoma where the bag is attached is very tender and must be kept clean and dry.
4. Apply antibiotic powder as directed to the skin around the stoma to help prevent irritation and yeast infection.
5. Replace the skin barrier disk or paste to the tender skin around the stoma.
6. Attach a new colostomy bag carefully over the stoma.
7. Order ostomy supplies to be delivered as needed.
Colostomies are performed for various reasons, including trauma, blockage and infection. The procedure is quite intense and requires a commitment to colostomy aftercare by the patient, nursing staff and doctors. Caring for a colostomy patient requires you to have knowledge and compassion.
Conditions such as diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer or trauma sometimes require a colostomy. In general, the surgery lasts two to four hours. The most common type of colostomy procedure is the Hartmann colostomy, a procedure in which the colon is cut in half. The end of the colon that leads to the stomach is fed through the abdomen wall and attached to the skin. This area is the stoma.
After surgery, the end of the colon near the rectum grows dormant. Most colostomies performed can be reversed after the affected tissues of the colon heal. In the
1. Empty the colostomy drainage bag several times each day. It's best to empty the bag before it gets too full to prevent leaks and spills.
2. Remove the old colostomy bag by detaching it carefully from the skin every four to six days and discard it.
3. Thoroughly clean the skin around the stoma and dry thoroughly. The skin around the stoma where the bag is attached is very tender and must be kept clean and dry.
4. Apply antibiotic powder as directed to the skin around the stoma to help prevent irritation and yeast infection.
5. Replace the skin barrier disk or paste to the tender skin around the stoma.
6. Attach a new colostomy bag carefully over the stoma.
7. Order ostomy supplies to be delivered as needed.
Colostomies are performed for various reasons, including trauma, blockage and infection. The procedure is quite intense and requires a commitment to colostomy aftercare by the patient, nursing staff and doctors. Caring for a colostomy patient requires you to have knowledge and compassion.
Conditions such as diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer or trauma sometimes require a colostomy. In general, the surgery lasts two to four hours. The most common type of colostomy procedure is the Hartmann colostomy, a procedure in which the colon is cut in half. The end of the colon that leads to the stomach is fed through the abdomen wall and attached to the skin. This area is the stoma.
After surgery, the end of the colon near the rectum grows dormant. Most colostomies performed can be reversed after the affected tissues of the colon heal. In the