Keywords: medical supplies, ostomy bags, incontinent supplies
What is Ostomy medical supplies?
An ostomy is an opening created surgically from the urinary tract or intestine to make an alternate cut for urine or fecal removal. An artificially created introduction called a stoma is a pink-colored round protrusion with no nerve endings. A nurse specializing in ostomy provides the most needed help to patients adjusting their lives with an ostomy by ensuring that the medical supplies are available for pre and postoperative procedures and the patient and caregivers have all the relevant information regarding ostomy care.
Types of Ostomy
Whether temporary or permanent, the continent or incontinent, this surgery is performed to manage various medical conditions such as colon obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, congenital anomalies, diverticulitis, and trauma to the intestinal tract. The most common types of ostomies are:
• Urostomy
• Colostomy
• Ileostomy
What Should You Know About Ostomy Management?
To achieve optimal goals, a patient undergoing ostomy surgery, good nursing care is essential throughout recovery. In this case, patient education about the surgery is of utmost importance.
- Preoperative Care
Firstly, the stoma site is selected by a team of a surgeon, ostomy nurse specialist, and patient. Different factors include physical limitations and disabilities, learning the procedure, how pouching system works, and a recovery plan. Accessing the required supplies, including ostomy bags and others is crucial.
In this session, the patient can express their thoughts regarding the surgery and ostomy. It assists in overcoming the fears related to it and aids the patient to relax for the upcoming procedure.
- Postoperative care
After performing the surgery, it is necessary to know which type of ostomy a patient has, the indication, and whether the ostomy is temporary or permanent. The type cannot be identified on the base of location on the abdomen solely. The crucial detail assessment helps improve the overall health and determines the education given to the patient.
Ostomy Basic Medical Supplies
Ostomy specialist nurse picks the most suitable pouching system depending on the stoma size. It is vital to measure each time when changing the pouch as the swelling may occur, which alters the stoma's size, which means they need for another pouch system. The swelling becomes normal over six weeks of the surgery, and then a patient should get professional guidance for changing the appliance.
The supplies include a skin barrier and an ostomy bag that collects the urine and fecal effluent. Designed as disposable and waterproof, the bag could have a drainable clamp or non-drainable clamp. These clear or opaque bags are also manufactured to contain odor that aids in more comfort to the patient. Mostly incontinent supplies include an external pouching system. But all of these have the same effect. Therefore, choosing one is based on the patient's preference.
The system could be one-piece or two-piece. The only difference is the number of steps. A two-piece pouching system entails an extra step of re-attaching the new bag after discarding the old one. The One-piece system is non-detachable, with the pouch that is attached to the skin barrier permanently.
Ostomy Accessories for Added Comfort
Different ostomy accessories are available to enhance adherence and keep the skin healthy. It encompasses:
• Skin-barrier paste and powder
• Barrier rings
• Strips
• Wafers
• Wraps
• Binders
• Belts
• Special Swimwear
For ostomy patients, skin barrier prep and powder are available in the market in spray, wipes, or lollipops that could be directly applied to the skin surrounding the stoma before attaching the pouching system. It averts the chances of effluent leakage and protects the skin from harmful stool enzymes that could damage the peristomal skin.
Patient Evaluation
It is necessary to examine a patient with a new ostomy.
A nurse should:
• Check the skin barrier and ostomy bag for secure attachment and proper functioning.
• Inspect for any leakage.
• Assess the output volume.
• Keep the record of the last pouch change.
Patient Education and Emotional Assessment
After the surgery, a patient might feel overwhelmed and uneasy. The nurse's responsibility is to succor patients and caregivers to overcome these disturbing feelings. Working with the patient while emptying or changing the pouch can release their stress and build confidence.
Teach them about the medical supplies like changing the pouch, the expected output, signs of leakage that need professional nursing care, and when to dispose of the waste. Patience is the key to handling the patients and caregivers as some are not ready. Go for a gradual learning approach. Once the patient feels easy with the pouching system, there won't be an issue.