being "clean" when emptying a colostomy

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg.

i hate stinky colostomy. seems like there is no way to be clean when emptying it. any tips on how to be a graceful when emptying a colostomy?

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Specializes in Staff nurse.

Place a towel under it before you open it to empty or burp it. Depending on its position and ease of emptying, I wear either a gown or no gown...if I wear a gown I will ususally say I am for the first time until I know how easy or difficult it will be *for me* to empty *this* particular bag.

Double glove. Have a wet washcloth to wipe the end of the bag, and a dry one to dry it before you close it up.

I usually ask the pt. questions of what works best at home if they ususally do it at home and are temporarily unable to at hospital. Just talk matter of factly.

I'm sure others will give you good tips also. :)

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Specializes in medical-surgical.

Make sure you always clean the first inside inch of the bag with a clean towel or paper towel as well.

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Specializes in med-surg 5 years geriatrics 12 years.

One trick I learned in the nursing home is to put a couple drops of baby oil in a new bag before you start using it and rub the bag so it coats the inside of the bag. Stool empties out easily.

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i hate stinky colostomy. seems like there is no way to be clean when emptying it. any tips on how to be a graceful when emptying a colostomy?

I hope you realize that most patients dislike their colostomy as well. Our handling of their colostomy is important in their attitude towards it.

"graceful" why do I have images of a tutu wearing ballerina emptying a pouch?!

Just be clean and efficient in movement.

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