Proper Care and Storage of Ostomy Supplies

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Ostomy supplies are not inexpensive, to say the least.  So, it’s important to understand how to apply them properly, and equally important to know how to take care of and store supplies until use.  Proper care and storage helps make your ostomy supply expenses as economical as possible.

When you receive your ostomy supplies, especially when they are a new brand or type, be sure to read carefully the instruction sheet and guidelines included in the box.  They may include specific recommendations for that given product.  Review instructions periodically to refresh your memory, and to see if any recommendations have changed over time.

Generally speaking, all ostomy supplies should be stored in a cool, dry location.  Too much heat can melt or weaken many of the materials used in ostomy wafers/barriers, pouches or accessory items.  Avoid leaving supplies in a hot car, or in direct sunlight. 

Keep supplies such as wafers/barriers and pouches in their original box.  By doing so, you save the brand name, product identification number, and the lot/date information for those specific items.  You may never need this information, but in the event you do, you will be glad you have it.  When reporting quality control problems all of the information on the box will be required.  Or, if you find yourself in a pinch and needing to buy from a new source, you are sure to get the exact product you need. 

Some ostomy suppli8es do have a “shelf-life”.  Meaning, the product may have an expiration date.  If this is the case, the dates may be recorded on their containers.  If you find you have a box with an expired date, check with manufacturer, your local supplier, or an ostomy nurse for advice on usage.  To ensure you don’t end up with older, expired product, practice the FIFO method:  First In, First Out.  Place your new product behind the old product so you are sure to reach for the older product, and use it first.

While you do want to keep a stock of supplies so you are always prepared to change out your system, avoid the practice of stockpiling too much.  You want to make sure your reserve is as fresh as possible.  Of course, this depends on factors such as availability, proximity to a local supplier, or shipping issues.  Also, be sure to purchase supplies from a trusted vendor – one you know that will provide good service as well as stock or easily ship your required product supplies.  If you find yourself with a fairly uncommon product, most suppliers will stock your product for you if you become a regular customer.

Be sure to report defective supplies.  If you determine your supplies are defective in spite of proper use and storage, contact the manufacturer at their toll-free number listed on the box, to report the problem.  All major ostomy supply brands will either send a replacement or make adjustments.  Also, let your supply source know of your report to the manufacturer.  They also need to be aware of product problems, especially if they are providing product to you.

Adapted from Proper Care and Storage of Ostomy Supplies, by Teresa Murphy-Stowers, via Ostomy Association of Metro Denver, Inc., UOAA Update, October 2014

Ostomates: The Flu And What To Do

Adapted from The Flu And What To Do, Ostomy Association of Metro Denver, Sept-Oct 2013

The flu brings with it headaches, upset stomach, diarrhea, muscle aches and pains!  The advice most given:  plenty of fluids and rest in bed.  This remains sound medical advice for the general attack of the virus.  But if your case of the flu includes that "bug-a-boo" diarrhea, and you are an ostomate, you may find the following hints helpful.

For those with a colostomy, remember your intestine is really washing itself out and it is not wise to irrigate during this time.  After diarrhea has stopped, you will have a sluggish colon for a few days, so again, "leave it alone".  Start irrigation again after a few days when your colon has had a chance to return to normal. 

For the ileostomate, diarrhea is a greater hazard.  Along with the excess water discharge, there is a loss of electrolytes and vitamins that are necessary in maintaining good health.  This loss is usually referred to as a loss of fluid which in turn, brings a state of dehydration.  Ileostomates must restore electrolyte balance.  First, eliminate all solid food.  Second, obtain potassium safely and effectively from tea, bullion, and ginger ale.  Third, obtain sodium from saltine crackers or salted pretzels.  Fourth, drink a lot of water.  Cranberry juice and orange juice also contain potassium, while bullion and tomato juice are good sources of sodium. 

Vomiting also brings the threat of dehydration.  If it is severe and continuing, your doctor should be notified, or go to the ER.  You should also know that diarrhea may be symptomatic of partial obstruction or an acute attack of gastroenteritis.  Since the treatment of these two entities is entirely different, a proper diagnosis should be made as rapidly as possible if obstruction is suspected (because of localized cramping).  A physician should be sought immediatly. 

So you can see why it is so important to determine whether the diarrhea is caused by obstruction or gastroenteritis.  If you do not know and are not 100% certain of what you are doing, or what is going on, check immediately with your doctor. 

Attention Ostomates: Prevent Drug Interactions

Republished from www.extension.missouri.edu via Ostomy Association of Metro Denver, Inc., July/August 2013

Drug interactions are serious business.  Interactions can reduce the effectiveness of drugs; the drugs don't work as well as they should.  At other times, drug interactions lead to serious complications, such as drowsiness, slowed reactions, stomach upset, liver damage, dizziness, lightheadedness, irregular heartbeat, and a sudden rise in blood pressure. 

Pay attention to how your body responds to medicines and be sensitive to side effects.  Don't assume these effects are normal.  You can prevent some interactions by becoming a wiser health consumer.

Read labels and package inserts carefully.  Pay particular attention to the "Warning" and "Precaution" sections.  Review this information each time you get a refill; guidelines for use change as more is learned.

Keep a list of your medication in your medicine cabinet as well as in your wallet or purse.

Before you take a new medication, ask:
- What is the name of this medication?
- Can I take this with other medications?
- Should I avoid certain foods, beverages, or other products?
- How does this medicine work in the body?
- What other kinds of precaution are necessary?
- Is there additional written information that I could read about the medicine?

Go to one pharmacy for all your prescriptions.

Good record-keeping can reduce the risk of interactions.  Many pharmacies have their records computerized. 

Don't use outdated drugs, bottles that appear to have been tampered with, or another person's prescription. 

Know ahead of time what to do if anything goes wrong when taking medicine.  Know who to contact and how to reach him/her.  Keep phone numbers of your doctors on hand next to the phone, and on a card you carry in your wallet or purse. 

Vitamin B-12 Replacement Therapy for Ileostomates

by Bob Baumel, Ostomy Association of North Central Oklahoma, UOAA update 7/2012

Vitamin B-12 is, under normal conditions, absorbed in only a small section of the terminal small intestine (ileum), raising the possibility of B-12 deficiency if that section of the ileum has been removed surgically or damaged by disease.  People who may have lost that portion of ileum include some ileostomates, people who had a J-pouch or Kock pouch, and some people with urinary diversions (especially continent urinary diversions) made using the terminal ileum.  A condition such as Crohn's disease may have damaged the terminal ileum, even if it hasn't been removed surgically.

Vitamin B-12 is necessary for many metabolic processes including development of red blood cells, and also maintains normal functioning of the nervous system.  Deficiency causes anemia (reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood resulting in fatigue) and can also cause nervous system damage.  It's worth noting that folic acid (another B vitamin) can correct the anemia caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency, but it will not correct the nerve damage caused by B-12 deficiency.  So it's important to get enough vitamin B-12. 

If you think you are at risk for vitamin B-12 deficiency, you can ask your doctor to check your serum (blood) B-12 level.  This test can be added easily to routine blood testing.  If your ability to absorb vitamin B-12 by the normal pathway involving the terminal ileum has been impaired, you can supplement the vitamin by three basic methods.

By Injection:  This method bypasses the normal gastrointestinal process of B-12 absorption by inserting it into the body by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.  B-12 injections may be self-administered in the same way that diabetic patients can give themselves insulin shots.  Maintenance therapy may require only one B-12 injection per month.

Nasally:  This method bypasses the normal gastrointestinal absorption process, as vitamin B-12 can be absorbed through nasal mucous membranes.  The nasal form of B-12 was developed first as a nasally applied gel and later a true nasal spray (brand name Nascobal).  This product is marketed by the company Strativa Pharmaceuticals, who promotes it as the only FDA-approved form of vitamin B-12 besides the injectable form.  Nasal B-12 can be effective, but because one company has sole rights to distribute it in the U.S., it can be an expensive way to get your vitamin B-12.

Orally:  Until recently, doctors believed that B-12 taken orally was useless to people who lack the normal absorption mechanism involving the terminal ileum.  That opinion has changed, however, as research has revealed that even in such people, when a large dose of vitamin B-12 is taken orally, a small fraction (typically 1%) gets absorbed by mass-action transport across the gut. 

Note:  Time Released medications should, in general, be avoided if you have an ileostomy, as they may pass through your gut. 

OSTOMY: Some Good Ideas From Here and There

Via Fox Valley Ostomy News and Ostomy Association of Metro Denver, Inc.

Avoid "vacuum lock" in your pouch by keeping a little air in it. This is a big reason that people with new ostomies have "leaks". This is especially true for the urostomates when hooking up to your night drainage bag. Always be sure to leave a little urine in your day-bag as a "prime" for the night drainage bag.

Parsley is an excellent natural internal deodorant, therefore eat some parsley.

If you want medicines to work quickly, drown them. They dissolve and absorb faster with plenty of water to wash them down.

Vitamins should be taken on a full stomach; otherwise, they irritate the lining of the stomach and produce the sensation of being full.

Never wait until you have used your last pouching system before ordering a new supply. Always keep a list of your supplies with you on a small piece of paper complete with order numbers, size and manufacturers.

Don't be afraid to try something new, you may find something better than you are presently using.

Of course if you ever have questions about your ostomy products, or if you want to know about NEW products, our customer service experts are happy to help!

Ostomy? What you need to know

By definition, an ostomy is an operation to create an opening from an area inside the body to the outside. Colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy are types of ostomies that either eliminate stool from the intestines or urine from the urinal tract.

Ostomies become necessary due to cancer of the digestive tract, disease such as Crohn’s or disorders such as ulcerative colitis. Sometimes the ostomy is permanent, sometimes it can be temporary and reversed.
Once an ostomy is created, the patient will use ostomy supplies suited to their needs, and typically a Wound and Ostomy Care Nurse (WOCN) will educate and care for the patient in the hospital during recovery.

As you can imagine, or have personal experience yourself, a new ostomy can be overwhelming! We specialize in ostomy supplies and have dealt with many customers that simply get overwhelmed once they leave the hospital and are on their own. Or, we see ostomates dealing with new issues after several years of successfully handling their ostomy.

Here are five things every ostomate needs to know.

Every ostomate should have the name and phone number of a Wound & Ostomy Care Nurse (WOCN) or Enterostomal Therapist (ET). If you don't have one, contact your local hospital, medical center or health agency and ask for one.

Research and learn about ostomy products. Most hospitals carry a single brand of supplies and that is what is sent home with the patient. The three major manufacturers are Hollister (Hollister.com), ConvaTec (Convatec.com) and Coloplast (Coloplast.com). Visit their websites, research all product lines and request free samples to try. Be sure to consult with your medical team before switching products.

Spend some time finding the right supplier. Compare pricing and be wary of large discounts or exorbitant prices. Do they ship to your home, or have a local presence in case you are in a pinch for supplies? Can you reach a live person for product support if you have a problem?

Verify what your insurance will cover when it comes to supplies. Most private insurers will pay 70-80% after deductible. Medicaid is state specific, and Medicare only allows a predetermined maximum each month, so call and verify your specific coverage.

Most importantly - You are NOT alone! The United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. is a wonderful resource for information and links. Go to www.uoaa.org for information, guidebooks, local support groups, discussion boards and much more!

For more information or to request a FREE “Information & Resources for New Ostomates” Booklet, contact Mountain View Medical Supply by calling 303-455-1300, or 800-873-7121, or email
customer.service@mvms.com

Source: Mountain View Medical Supply Information & Resources for New Ostomates
To order your FREE copy of this wonderful publication (if I do say so myself), call 800-873-7121, or order for FREE online HERE!

Registery For Stoma Names

I am not an ostomate personally, but being in this business has certainly made me aware of how overwhelming having one could be. I can only imagine and I give huge kudos to those living with an ostomy - you are my heros!

For those of you not aware, an ostomy is an operation to create an opening (a stoma) from an area inside of the body to the outside. Colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy are types of ostomies to eliminate bodily waste. Ostomates then use ostomy systems, barriers, pouches and various collection devices, to collect the bodily waste.

A stoma can look like this:



To help ostomates come to terms with their ostomy, it has been suggested that an ostomate name their stoma. I came across a site today that you can actually register the name of our stoma!

A few of my personal favorites are:
"Lavagirl" - cause stuff would all the sudden just come out like a volcano.
"Poopy Pete"
"Chatty Kathy" - Remember those irritating dolls call Chatty Kathy? My daughter had one. Since I seem to have a very noisy stoma that has absolutely no social manners this is an appropiate name in my opinion.
"Visuvius"
"Hamilton" - I named him Hamilton after my surgeon. He made it.

I think the above stoma could be "Rosebud". Remember the Cosby Show where his daughter sassily pronounced it like "Rosebuuuuud"?

Click HERE to register your stoma's name!

Click To Request our Information & Resources for New Ostomates (free) booklet.

Better Living Corner - Switching Ostomy Products

Jake recently called and asked about switching ostomy systems to something that works better.
We frequently have customers call that are having problems with their current ostomy systems but are apprehensive about switching.
Most ostomy patients are given a specific pouching system while in the hospital, and little do people know, some hospitals work with only one ostomy supply manufacturer. There are so many options available to ostomates, there is no reason anyone should tolerate a system that works poorly. Any long term ostomate will tell you that it is normal for your body to change as it heals and it will also change over time.
We recommend the following when considering a change:
1) Speak with your Wound & Ostomy Care Nurse (WOCN) and they can help make recommendations for your specific needs.
2) Speak with your ostomy supplier for more specific product information - they should be product experts.
3) Research manufacturer websites. If you find some products you want to try, request free samples - they are always happy to send them.
4) Once you find a new product and you need your insurance to cover the cost, you will need a new prescription from your doctor. If you are paying out of pocket, you wont need one.
5) Shop around for the best price, and also find yourself a local supplier in the event you need supplies in a pinch.

The three major manufacturers are:
Coloplast Website, 800-788-0293
ConvaTec Website, 800-844-8811
Hollister Website, 888-740-8999
Of course Mountain View offers a HUGE selection of Ostomy Supplies