A person who has had an ileostomy, urinary diversion or colostomy for a long time usually has experienced occasional problems with the stoma, skin or equipment.
The ostomate has sought help from the ET nurse, physicians, friends and others. As advice was given, the ostomate heeded each suggestion into the routine for changing his pouching system.
Changing the pouching system took more and more time. I have observed persons using several different kinds of soaps or disinfectants to cleanse the skin, applying skin sealants using several skin barriers and then affixing the pouch over all this.
Often the result of this is that the person will take hours to change the pouching system and care for the stoma and skin.
Periodic evaluation of the changing procedure should be done. At each step, the ostomate should ask himself: "What am I accomplishing by doing this step? Can I eliminate it?"
The pouching system should guarantee freedom from leakage of stool or urine; normal peristomal skin, be odorproof, and be invisible when the person is dressed.
The procedure should be uncomplicated with as few steps as possible. No step or use of a product should duplicate another.
Care of the stoma, skin and changing the equipment should take no more than 15-20 minutes. The stoma should accommodate the lifestyle of the person who has it, and take as little time as possible.