Yesterday I had 5 patients and and aide. They cancelled the other RN, which is fine, right? Well, normally it wouldn't be an issue, however: Of the 5 patients, 3 were dying. One was an admission with ES Alzheimers, very confused and VERY combative. One of the 3 that was dying had an iliostomy that leaked almost constantly. The bag had been changed on days and I had to reinforce it twice before changing it again. That includes 2 complete bed changes. Added to this, his daughter had a hx of paranoid schizo. and was NOT coping. I wanted to crawl home.
Ok, now my question: How do you stop and ostomy that is leaking? My heart was breaking for this poor guy. His skin was red and irritated and the stoma was actually bleeding he was rubbed so raw. I used a skin prep, and a glue stuff:lol2: (old cardiac nurse here) then something called and Ekcert seal. NOTHING worked. Any advice for next time?
sorry to hear about the rough night. Regarding the leaky ostomy: Once it is leaking it should never be "reinforced". The entire appliance should be removed. Cleaning and drying the skin is essential, also try putting the ostomy paste on the wafer (sticky side), about 0.5 cm in, wait one minute---check to see if paste makes strings (like really sticky hairgel that's drying). Then put on wafer. Apply stoma paste around stoma (all the way). I find this really helps with leaky ostomies.
Diana
I meant reinforce/strengthen the wafer on a NEW appliance. Although, I have been tempted to reinforce the old one just to prevent changing her bed/pajamas again.
Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN
590 Posts
I meant reinforce/strengthen the wafer on a NEW appliance. Although, I have been tempted to reinforce the old one just to prevent changing her bed/pajamas again.