The Accurate Wear Time for Ostomy Appliances

When an ostomy patient in the hospital, an ET nurse takes care of the person. However, after getting the discharge slip everyone has to look after on their own. Thus, all patients must learn how to empty and when to change the pouching system. During the stay in the hospital, a patient does not understand all about the ostomy and stoma nature. In the early days of the incision, the opening gives pain and causes frequent discharge, but after a few days or healing, or changes its habit of excretion. Thus, at home everything is different and an ostomate needs to learn the accurate wear time and change of the appliances. Moreover, every stoma is different, such as urostomy has frequent discharges every day, it can lead to eight to nine times, while ileostomy has less frequent discharge as compared to urostomy. An ileostomy patient needs to empty the pouching system five to six times a day. While the patients of colostomy only need one-time drainage or two times every day. Thus, first, a patient needs to learn his/her type of surgery, then they can take care of themselves and understand what is the appropriate wear time of the appliances for them. Moreover, every patient's digestive system and body react differently. It depends on your diet and routine. Thus, there is no specific rule for the discharge and wear time of the ostomy pouching system. It depends on the individual stoma, type of ostomy, and discharge routine.

Some Necessary Elements for Wear Time of Ostomy Appliances

People who are worried about the accurate wear time of the ostomy pouching system, need to consider the following necessary elements. These are:

1.      The kind of ostomy surgery you have gone through.

2.      The age of the patient.

3.      The age of the stoma.

4.      The texture of discharge.

5.      Frequency of discharge.

6.      The stoma appearance, its shape, size, and peristomal skin contours.

7.      Daily routine.

8.      Daily physical activities.

9.      Type of skin barrier or paste a patient uses.

10.  Travel and work routine.

The wear time of the ostomy appliances depends on the type of ostomy or stoma. When a person has a urostomy, he/she must change the pouching system two times a week. Leakage and frequent discharge can damage the skin barrier, paste, and peristoma skin. Thus, an ostomate needs to remove the entire system after two or three days and wear a new appliance. Well, if a person has more than six to seven drainage routines daily, then it is better to wear a new pouching system every two days or three times a weak. He/she should not wear the appliance system for an extended time.

In the case of ileostomy, a patient can change the pouching system once or twice a week. Well, also the wear time depends on the discharge texture and routine. Many patients release the thin liquid stool in the ileostomy stoma. Then, they cannot have an extended wear time of the appliance. They need to empty the ostomy bag more than times day; therefore, they should change the ostomy pouching system two times a week. In the case of thick liquid stool, and ostomates drain the stoma bag three or four times a day; thus, he/she can increase the wear time. Sich patients must change the ostomy appliance once or twice a day, relying on the health of the stoma and durability of the skin barrier and pastes.

In the case of colostomy operation, an ostomate can extend the wear time of the pouching system. If the stoma, peristoma skin, and internal organs are healthy, they are not bleeding or facing blockage, then the skin barrier and adhesive will last for a longer time. In such a condition, a patient can extend the wear time of the appliance. The colostomy patients discharge solid feces; thus, they have almost no fear of leakage. Moreover, they can feel the movement and discharge. They empty the ostomy bag once a day. In case of unhealthy digestion or diarrhea, they can drain the pouch twice a day, but it does harm the adhesive. So, they have a long wear time of the pouching system. They change the appliance on a need basis, once a week, or once in two weeks.

The Right Way of Communication with the Post-Ostomy Patients

When a person goes through the ostomy surgery, millions of fears and thoughts go through the mind. Patients get nervous and fidgety. Well, relaxation and calmness need help and support. An ostomate remains in distress until he/she gets to know the right way of managing the ostomy pouching system and stoma. This needs communication, care, and the right information regarding the surgery. Many patients go through the worst part of their life due to surgery. They feel frightened as they assume that they will be dependent and their lives will get finished. Sometimes patients seek helo from nurses and doctors, but sometimes they want their family and loved ones to be around and make them comfortable. Moreover, in many cases, ET nurses do not have sufficient knowledge and they cannot assist you in the right way. Thus, the necessary thing is having a nurse who has full knowledge about the ostomy types and their care. So, the hospitals and staff have the first duty to guide and help the patient by hiring educated ET nurses. Moreover, they should have some seminars and conferences for the medical staff. Doctors and organizations must teach their new staff and nurses about ostomy, stoma, and care. If an ET nurse or a medicare person does know about the ostomy care, then a patient will never feel comfortable. He/she will take the surgery and stay in the hospital as baggage.

When the medical staff and ET nurses have the right information and full knowledge about the ostomy, its care, and appliances, then they will be able to talk with their patients and make them comfortable. To win the trust of your ostomates, you need to communicate with them. You can only make it possible when you have details, patience, and information about the surgery, care, and tools. So, first learn the ostomy procedures, stoma care, use of appliances, post infections of the ostomies, treatments for serious situations, handling emergencies, and the deal your ostomate. Moreover, when you know all about the surgery and its care, then you can guide their home caregivers and family members. 

Well, once a patient goes back to the home, the family and the person would care and manage every difficult situation. After the operation, a patient relies on the ET nurse and family caregivers. He/she has some expectations from them. The medical staff and nurses can fulfill their hopes when they have the knowledge and the right tactics of communication. Be a helping hand for the patients in their difficult times. A patient always feels comfortable and relax when the family and nurses' support is around.

Post-Ostomy Operation Expectations of the Patients

Many ostomy patients belong to rural areas. Thus, they do not have sufficient information on incision and care. They seek to support and care tactics. Thus, they rely on family members and nurses. There are several organizations organizing seminars for the teaching of ostomy care and the use of appliances. But, every patient cannot reach to such health care centers. Thus, it is the primary duty of the hospital staff to make connections between the patients and such organizations. By attending these conferences, a patient gets to know about the reality of the surgery. They understand and learn about the differences between healthy and unhealthy stoma. They can take of themselves at home without any support. Thye knows how to empty and change the pouching system. They feel confident and can communicate with doctors, nurses, family members, and other people. Well, communication is the key to express their fears, problems, issues, diseases, and they can ask for help when they can communicate and express themselves.