Instructions for Maintaining Your Urostomy: Dealing with and Sanitizing the Bag
In the journey of living with a urostomy, understanding how to properly manage your pouch is essential for maintaining comfort, hygiene, and overall health. Here's a simple guide to help you navigate the process.
Firstly, emptying your urostomy pouch is an important part of daily life. It is recommended to empty the pouch when it reaches about one-third to one-half full, several times a day, to avoid pressure on the seal and reduce the risk of infections. The process is straightforward: sit on the toilet, place a strip of toilet paper inside, hold the pouch upward, tip it to empty, close the valve, and dry the end with toilet paper.
Changing the pouch is another crucial aspect of urostomy care. The frequency can vary, but generally, a urostomy pouch is changed every 1 to 3 days, or up to about every other day, to avoid skin irritation and leaks. It is important to wait about 1 to 2 hours after drinking fluids before changing the bag to minimize urine leakage onto supplies.
To ensure the seal between the pouch and the skin remains strong, there are several factors to consider. Sweating, fit, weight changes, oily skin, strenuous activity, and swimming can all affect the seal. To keep the seal strong, it's advisable to ensure the pouch fits well with your body, avoid using oil-based products, and avoid excessive sweating or strenuous activity when changing the pouch.
Regular emptying and cleaning of the urostomy pouch can help prevent bacteria growth. It's also worth noting that people may need to empty the pouch as often as they previously emptied the bladder, depending on the size of the pouch and fluid intake.
For those who find night-time emptying inconvenient, using a larger drainage bag might be a helpful solution. This can prevent the need to get up during the night to empty the pouch.
By following these practices, you can maintain a good seal, protect the skin, and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections. Always remember to consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice and guidance.
[1] Urostomy Association. (2021). Urostomy Care Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.urostomy-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Urostomy-Care-Guidelines-2021.pdf [2] Ostomy Wound Management. (2021). Urostomy Care: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.ostomy.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Urostomy-Care-What-You-Need-to-Know.pdf [5] National Kidney Foundation. (2021). Urostomy Care. Retrieved from https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/urostomycare
