Urostomy
When people think of an ostomy they are most likely thinking of a bag on the abdomen that collects stool. Most people do not think of a bag that collects urine, which is what an urostomy is. When a patient has an issue with their urinary tract and medications have not been working, then a doctor will often suggest an urostomy.
This is a procedure that creates an opening on the (usually right side) of the abdomen. This allows urine to be extracted from the body if the urinary tract is infected or if the bladder is infected or removed. The doctor can create a pipeline from cutting either the small intestine or large intestine (depending on the case and the patient) and attaching it with a stoma to the bag. Urine and sometimes mucus will collect in the bag and will need to be emptied or drained several times a day. Generally, a urostomy is a permanent type of ostomy. Portions or the entirety of the small intestine, large intestine, and bladder are removed.
Patients will then have to become familiar with ostomy supplies. First is the pouch that will collect the urine as it drains from the stoma. Most pouches have a spout at the bottom of the bag that you can open to drain fluids from. There are many different types of pouches that a specialist and patient will both agree on before the procedure. All ostomy supplies will be ordered prior to make sure the patient understands how to take care of their ostomy.
Another product to consider is catheters. Sometimes a patient’s ostomy will not have a pouching system and the catheter can be placed in the stoma to drain the urine. Another thing to think about is skin protection around the stoma barrier. Depending on the type and condition of the patient’s skin and stoma, different varieties of skin barriers, adhesives, and cleansers can be used. It is important to keep the stoma and skin surrounding very clean. Infections can easily spread if they come in contact with a stoma.
Lastly, a patient should be thinking about a night drainage system. The tubing will connect to the patient’s pouch on their abdomen and connect to a large container. This method is useful for patients that drain a little more than usual and do not want to get up multiple times in a night to drain their urostomy bag.
How To Care For An Ostomy Wound
If you have got an ostomy, you are going to have to learn to manage it properly. The purpose of an ostomy is to redirect the passage of wastes away from the final part of the urinary or digestive tract and allowing it to open into the outside of the body through an opening in the abdomen. The abdominal opening is known as a stoma.
Caring for the stoma may seem hard at first, but it becomes convenient over time. Certain ostomy supplies are helpful in this regard.
The wound
The stoma is an opening that allows the evacuation of stools or urine from the body. It is a bud-like structure sticking on the belly. It is red or pink and moist, which makes it look shiny. Even though a stoma is not a wound in a literal sense, medical science terms it an open wound because it requires special care just like an open wound. The location of the stoma may vary from person to person due to several factors, including the underlying condition that raised its requirement and the type of ostomy.
A colostomy brings the end of the colon out through a cut in the belly, and an ileostomy is a diversion on the small intestine. A urostomy connects ureters to the outside of the body. No matter what type of ostomy you have, you are going to need to wear an ostomy bag over the stoma.
The pouching system
The most crucial part of an ostomy pouch from the perspective of wound care is the skin barrier. This element prevents stools from coming in contact with the peristomal skin. It has an adhesive side that goes against the skin to form a leakproof seal. This element is also known as a flange or faceplate. You may want to learn how to apply a skin barrier properly. While attaching the flange, make sure not to become over-enthusiastic. Similarly, you must avoid improper taping.
Concerns about ostomy wound care
Keeping the ostomy wound clean is one of the most significant concerns that patients have. A medical professional will teach you how to take care of your ostomy wound using several ostomy supplies. You have to make sure that you are following those instructions the exact way the professional teaches you to. If a particular ostomy bag is suiting your stoma, you may want to replace it with the more appropriate one. The best way is to contact your ostomy care nurse to discuss the pouching options you can consider.
You will need to keep an eye on your ostomy. The best way is to check it every time you empty or change the bag. Many people consider using transparent ostomy bags because those bags allow them to check their stomas any time they want.
It is necessary to remain in touch with your doctor or ostomy care nurse. If you have any questions or you experience any issue related to your stoma, you may call the nurse for quick assistance.