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...)

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Hmmm...I think you have to think of it as necessary and something that can provide important information about your patient, since you can assess with your nose as well as with your eyes and hands.

IF you start to like it for other reasons, well, I'd be inclined to wonder about you...

[pajoopie1]

I always wear a mask when I do it and no one has seemed to mind. Has anyone else had a patient complain about the mask? The patients realize that it's smelly. Some of them wear masks. I had one patient who would hide her face under a towel because she gagged from the site and smell.

And things do splash. Having something as unsanitary as poo (and splashy gooey poo at that) they you may need to transfer twice (bag to urinal, urinal to toilet) that near your face without protection over your mouth and nose is probably not a great idea.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

I use a mask and vicks. I always remind myself that an ostomy bag is easier than turning a 350 lb paralyized person with diarhea. Makes me appreciate the ease and simplicity of bag.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

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...)

I feel for you. We all have our "things" which really get to us. Try the vicks under the nostrils WITH the mask while breathing through your mouth. Maybe the combination will work. Your coworkers won't always be willing to let you off the hook and do your work for you. I mean, maybe you could trade tasks with another nurse who hates doing xyz, but I wouldn't count on it.

My "thing" is infected phlegm. Takes all my self control to maintain in that situation.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

I'll never like it. This is why we get paid.

[tiroka03, LPN]

I am not sure about anyone else, but I have never seen smelling someones poo or urine and make an assessment as part of my job description. No Thanks. I will do the job, change the ostomy or whatever, but I am not a human diagnoistic machine, that is what the lab is for.

[Weebee, LVN]

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...)

My I suggest teaching the patient to change his/her own bag. Lets not forget, as Nurses we want to get the patient back to a place where the patient can do their own daily cares.

Of course if there not able to do that, then just remember were #1 in the # 2 business. I have a bumper sticker that says..... "Nursing is a real ****** job"

Another words... I use humor.

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

Take the ostomy bag, hide it, take it to your car during break and emerse yourself in the guilty pleasure of playing with poop. I have to say, the first time i did this i felt naughty, but after three or four times, i had to confess. Im addicted to playing with an ostomy bag full of poop, i like it, I LOVE IT.

Please god tell me you're joking

[ihateibd]

I am a mother of a child with an ileoostomy and I am appalled by the posts on here about having to deal with an ostomy. I think some of you need to rethink your career as a nurse. I have worked in the medical field prior to having children and was ALWAYS sensitive to what the patient was experiencing. If it smells bad to you then imagine how it feels to live with it on a daily basis as a patient. Patients with an ostomy are very aware how others feel about their "stinky poo" as you put it. I would like to think that nurses can hide their emotions around the patient and who cares if it smells????? Get over it!!! It only takes minutes before a new bag is on or its emptied. Wearing a mask just for the smell factor is down right insulting!!!! How do you think that makes the patient feel!!!

I am outraged by these comments because anyone who is searching information in regards to their ostomy has the likihood as coming across this. You all should be ashamed of yourselves and be much more professional!!!!

[Fiona59]

The colo-rectal unit in my hospital starts teaching self care from the minute the patient is alert. We start with "burping" the bag to release gas and work our way up to the full change. Considering the average stay is less than seven days our hospital does a pretty good job.

It isn't always "easy" to change the appliance. I've seen some horribly hard to fit stomas that have gone through five or six different types/sizes of appliances before there is a correct fit. I also have a friend who loves teaching and fitting appliances and ostomy care. One of the best nurses for that type of education in the hospital.

What I want to know is why are they doing colostomies on 99yo arthritic patients who will never manage the bag themselves? They wind up in LTC and usually die shortly afterwards. We think it is due to the loss of their independence.

I remember one patient who felt it beneath him to care for his own body. Made his wife care for it at home. Bullied the nurses into doing it when admitted for an unrelated condition. Finally a surgeon straight out told him, that the colostomy was what had kept him alive. He chose the surgery and made the decision to live with the bag. The surgeon point blank told him that the nurses were there to support him, not care for him like a baby.

When it comes to this surgery, it's a no brainer. You want to live you make your choice. I've seen a few very old patients decline and die.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

OOOOohhh! Blech! Let me know your secret when u find out, cause I HATE fooling with them, hate to fool with them due to the "ick" factor. -

Anne, RNC

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I am a mother of a child with an ileoostomy and I am appalled by the posts on here about having to deal with an ostomy. I think some of you need to rethink your career as a nurse. I have worked in the medical field prior to having children and was ALWAYS sensitive to what the patient was experiencing. If it smells bad to you then imagine how it feels to live with it on a daily basis as a patient. Patients with an ostomy are very aware how others feel about their "stinky poo" as you put it. I would like to think that nurses can hide their emotions around the patient and who cares if it smells????? Get over it!!! It only takes minutes before a new bag is on or its emptied. Wearing a mask just for the smell factor is down right insulting!!!! How do you think that makes the patient feel!!!

I am outraged by these comments because anyone who is searching information in regards to their ostomy has the likihood as coming across this. You all should be ashamed of yourselves and be much more professional!!!!

I honestly don't see what has you appalled, no one is putting down the patients, making fun if them, anything of the sort. We are human, some people have pretty strong gag reflexes. What would be better: Nurse comes here to get advice from fellow nurses that know some tips or tricks or Nurse gags and vomits all over the patient? No one is talking about hiding emotions as if they are so disgusting with the patient themselves, in fact they are here asking for advice on how to hide the natural reactions to such smells for the patients sake. For the record I am a mom to 4 and I have been a patient far more times then I have taken care of them.