Preparation is key when establishing sound routines in order to change and empty your ostomy bag as smoothly as possible. Make sure that the following items are always within close reach, no matter where you go:
- Soft wipes
For cleaning your stoma without causing unnecessary skin irritation. - Warm water
The safest way to clean your stoma is using warm water without any additives (e.g. soap, oil etc.) - Plastic bag
To safely dispose the used ostomy bag in. - A new ostomy bag
Make sure you have a couple of spares in case something happens to the first one. - Curved scissors
Unless you have a pre-cut bag so don't need to cut out the hole to size. - Stoma guide
In order to cut a hole that fits the stoma as perfectly as possible, trace the size and shape of the stoma on the stoma guide before you cut. - Other accessories
These could include various tapes, lotions, paste etc.
