Stoma Care and Application of Pouch System

Stoma care and application of Ostomy pouch system:

1. Start from the top of ostomy pouch. Press left hand against the skin, use right hand to gently remove skin wafer.
Examine the erosion of the skin wafer. The skin wafer should mirror the shape
of the peristomal skin (surrounding tissue) to determine the use of a flat,
shallow, or deep convexity appliance.
This also determines the wear time of the next skin wafer.

2. Wash stoma and peristoma with plain lukewarm water, no soap.
Pat dry. Measure stoma.* Cut stoma wafer to fit. Warm wafer between hands
for a few minutes before application.

3. Attach ostomy pouch to wafer. Hold them firmly against skin for 10-15 minutes
to increase adhesion. (wafers are pressure sensitive.)*

4. Pat your back for a job well done! Take a deep breath. Relax.



*Measure stoma for the first time. Check stoma size routinely. Stoma size changes
gradually.


*The effectiveness of a skin wafer/barrier for the first few hours determines its
wear time.

Prepared by: Erlinda Tom RN BSN COCN WCC

Some information taken from Ostomy Educational Pocket Guide from Coloplast Corp.1975 West Oak Circle Marietta, Georgia 30062