Colostomy bag won't stay on

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My resident has a colostomy but the only way to keep the bag on is to use tape which irritates his skin. We have things which we spray on and sure prep skin wipes that are suppose to make it stick on and it still doesn't work. He sweats a lot and that might be the problem. What do you think is the BEST products to use? I told the other nurse that I was going to go to the store to buy some "Super glue" lol.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Does your facility have a wound/ostomy/continence nurse that you can ask these questions of? They are typically the go-to experts for these types of situations.

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I work in a small group home. We are "on our own" so to speak and have no one to ask. I am hoping to find a "colostomy expert" here who can tell me what works great so I can order it for our small facility. Thanks

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

Where do y'all get the ostomy supplies? I assume a supplier of some sort. They may have some suggestions if you don't get any others here. How long will it stay on? If you change the wafer more often would it work out better?

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What i would do is to first clean and dry the surrounding area thoroughly after assessing stoma. Rub skin with benzoin sticks (tincture of benzoin) and let dry. Apply a barrier ring ( they are usually thick but flexible and pliable. Search for hollister barrier ring for example ) after molding it to fit around stoma. Apply the new bag. Hopefully this helps

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Clean the peristomal skin with warm water and clean gauze or wash cloth.

Dry skin gently with gauze or washcloth. Allow skin to thoroughly dry.

Do not use the skin with sure prep wipes, unless the skin is getting denuded. These wipes block the skin pores and this makes it harder for the pectin based adhesive on the back of the ostomy wafer to sink into the skin and seal correctly.

DO NOT USE BENZOIN, this will block the pores. I have never seen this done!

To help ensure good adhesion, apply slight pressure with a warm hand over the ostomy wafer (with bag on) for at least a minute (this helps to melt the adhesive into the skin, increasing adhesion)

It's best to hold on 15 minutes minimum

Consider using an ostomy belt (do not have belt tighter than underwear elastic)

Ensure you empty pouch when about 1/3 full

Generally, ostomy bags/wafers need to be changed 2xweek or PRN leakage, so change it on schedule before it leaks

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