How do I get around to LIKING changing an ostomy bag?

[seks]

I admit: when it comes to poop, whether via BM or even worse, ostomy bag, I just cannot stand the smell of it. I've only come across an ostomy a few times in my experiences and I try emptying the bag. Just couldn't do it after the first hint of smell got to me and I was getting nauseaus and almost threw up. Someone else had to do it.

Blood, sputum, etc I'm fine...

but not poop!!!!

So how do you get around that?

I remember an instructor told me that you don't have to like everything you do at work (ie poop or blood or sputum or etc...)

[Murse901, MSN, RN]

Liking it? Never gonna happen.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Like it?

Not necessary.

Just shoot for being able to complete the task without gagging.

BTW - other BM generally doesn't faze me. But ostomies? Yech.

[headinsandRN]

No magic spell to help you with you with your tolerance level

Just wait to you have to collect a stool speci for c diff or blood

Want to know a great way to check for skin breakdown on your patient? Give ya a hint....it doesn't involve sending in some else to change your patient's diaper

[msjellybean]

I very much doubt you'll ever actually like it. Unless you're like my friend who, for some odd reason, thinks ostomies are the coolest things since sliced bread.

But, I find it easier to deal with a colostomy than an ileostomy.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

I would be concerned if you did like it ....haha :)

[Qbert]

Put on a surgical mask.. it helps a little.

Patients usually wont be offended.

If you're questioned, just say you want to avoid splatter droplets...

Best thing is really just to get used to it.. You will ALWAYS be around it in nursing.. so ya just get used to it over time.

Hope this helps!

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Like it? Doubtful. Appreciate the fact that you're not the one living with it makes it more tolerable, though.

BTW, a friend pokes a single hole in the bag with an insulin needle. Lets gas out but not liquid. Avoids some explosive clean ups.

[DarkBluePhoenix]

Some vicks under your nose?

[catlover314]

Career long aversion to adult poop here. Gag all the time. Anyway, I was my Mom's caregiver when she was in hospice, so of course avoiding the issue was not an option. I actually stuck tissues up my nose but was careful that she couldn't see that I had a nose full of kleenex. One day she said "I'm worried about that cold of yours...your nose is really stuffy." I'm proud to say I never once gagged where she could see me.

[thehipcrip]

Since most of the people with ostomies that I know don't really *like* changing the bag, I don't think anyone expects someone else who's helping them to like it. The goal should be doing it with poise (without gagging or retching, or making a scene) so the patient doesn't feel embarrassed.

In addition to the mask, you can always put a dab of something mentholated directly below your nostrils. That does wonders to mask unpleasant odors.

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

I am a colorectal nurse so I deal with this on a daily basis. It is the large bowel that has the bacteria that cause the odour. So colostomies do smell but once they have been changed to a permanet pouch it is a matter of changing the complete bag - Not emptying or draining a bag. Put a drop of eucalypts oil in the rubbish bag and fold the sides of the stoma bag together.

Ileostomies should NOT smell. If they do something is wrong. Get a spec. These have to be drained or emptied. They should have a gas filter on them to allow for the bag to "fart" so it does not explode. If the bag is filling up with gas the filter has got wet. Change the whole appliance. Ileostomies are messier - put a towel between the bag and the pt. Empty it before it gets 2/3 full. Then you will not have the huge pressure gush of fluid.

Just remember that the pt with the new stoma has to deal with a massive amount, a recent Dx of cancer, massive bowel surgery, pain, being forced to mobilse and DB+C post op, altered body image with a stoma, learning how to manage the bag which is scary, the prospect of chemo and or radiotherapy. The last thing they need is a nurse who cannot suck it up and help them learn how to manage their bag. I teach pts as I am emptying their stoma.

This way they become more knowledgeable about their stoma and become proficient at independent care. That way it is up to the pt to care for their bag.