How to Change an Ostomy Bag

There are many different types of ostomies. Some of them are permanent due to disease, injury or birth defect, while others may be temporary. An ostomy may involve the bladder or intestines, but they all require the same basic care. Learning to the change the bag correctly is important for the integrity of the skin and for achieving some type of normalcy for the ostomy patient.

Things You'll Need

• Adhesive remover
• Plastic bags with a zip-type closure
• Wash cloth and towel
• Measuring guide, pencil and scissors
• Skin protector
• Stoma adhesive paste
• New wafer and ostomy bag

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Instructions

Remove the Ostomy Bag

• 1

  Wash your hands and assemble your supplies.

• 2

  Remove the clip from the bottom of the bag, empty it and dispose of it in the plastic bag. Don't throw the clip away, since you will be reusing it.

• 3

  Use the adhesive remover to wipe around the wafer and as needed while removing it. Stabilize the skin with one hand and slowly remove the wafer with the other hand. Dispose of the wafer in the plastic bag.

• 4

  Examine the skin around the stoma for signs of irritation and clean the area with the washcloth and mild soap and water. A good time to do this is in the shower so any drainage from the stoma goes down the drain.

• 5

  Dry the skin by gently patting it with a clean towel.

Replace the Ostomy Bag

• 6

  Measure the stoma with the measuring guide that comes with the ostomy bags. Trace the correct size of the opening, which should be 1/8-inch larger than the stoma, onto the back of the wafer and cut it out with scissors.

• 7

  Put skin protector on the skin where the wafer will be placed.

• 8

  Pull the paper off the back of the wafer, leaving the paper on the tape around the wafer in place. Apply some stoma adhesive to the back of the wafer, wetting your fingers a bit and smoothing it around. Make sure you get some around the hole you cut out for the stoma.

• 9

  Place the whole apparatus over the stoma after removing the paper backing from the tape, making sure the stoma is in the center of the hole you cut out. Press the wafer in place, smoothing the tape out and removing any wrinkled areas.

• 10

  Put the new bag onto the wafer, pressing it all around to make sure it snaps into place. Gently pull on the bag to check that is secure and finally fold up the bottom and close it with the clip.