please help me...

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Hey guys,

I'm a CNA and I need some advice. I was asked by a nurse to clean out a colostomy bag today. To take a syringe, put water in it and squirt it into the bag to rinse out the BM. The question is ..... Isn't that dangerous and is it in a CNA's scope of Practice to do that sort of care? I don't remember learning that. Only opening the end of the bag and letting it drain into the bed pan. If I'm wrong and CNA's can do it... please give me some advice on the best way to do this procedure? I don't want to hurt anyone? Thanks yobe222

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Specializes in district nurse, ccu, geriatric.

yes indeed, not a very nice job, but very safe for the client. Just empty the bag as you normally would into a pan have a 50 ml syringe ready with some warm water. Holding the open end of bag up gently squeeze the water into the bag and swish it around and then empty back into the pan. There is no risk to the stoma, and gets rid of the smells in the bag. Cleaning it out can also mean, prolonging the use of the base plate minimising excoriation from frequent wafer changes. So go for it, just make sure you wear goggles because you may get splash back and you don't want that in your eyes.

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Do not squirt water into the stoma itself. Just clean the bag as described above. First, do check privately and confidentially with your manager to make sure it is within your scope of authorized duties. I think it should be, as all you are doing is washing out the bag.

It would be good to have the nurse demonstrate the procedure for you and let you give a return demonstration before you do it on your own. That way, you won't be nervous. That makes sense with any procedure that is new to you.

I applaud you for wanting to be certain it's within your scope of practice. A lot of aides want to do things that are definitely not within their scope of practice.

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Specializes in ICU.

not a pleasant task, but definately do-able by a CNA. we use a little diluted mouthwash when rinsing the bags. it helps with the smell. as a nurse, i often just cover the stoma itself with saline guaze, pop the entire bag off and rinse it under running water, then with the mouthwash concoction to deodorize it. it takes just a few seconds and cleans up much better....of course assuming the bag has a tupperware like attachment device. good for you for asking first. as my grandpa always said....god hates a coward.....go for it!:wink2:

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