How to Use a Stoma Irrigator Sleeve
A stoma irrigator sleeve is used to guide waste into the toilet when you need to irrigate your colostomy. Irrigating the stoma involves directing fluid into it so that you can empty your bowel. Irrigation allows colostomy patients to control their bowel movements so that they do not have to wear a pouch over their stomas. Instead, they place a cap over the stoma to absorb fluids and vent gas from the area. Irrigating and using your stoma irrigator sleeve properly is extremely important.
Things You'll Need
- Water bag
- Tube with flow control
- Cone/nozzle
- Lubricating jelly
- Irrigation belt
- Irrigation sleeve
- Plastic bag
Instructions
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1
Connect one end of the tubing to the water bag or reservoir and the other end to the cone or nozzle. Fill the water bag with lukewarm water and hang it on a hook so that the bottom of the bag is about shoulder level.
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2
Twist the flow control to let the air out of the tube until it fills with water. Close the flow control so that no water leaks out.
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3
Place the irrigation sleeve over your stoma and sit on the toilet with so that the end of the sleeve hangs into the toilet bowl. Hold the stoma irrigator sleeve in place if you do not have an irrigation belt. If you have a belt, attach the irrigator sleeve with the Velcro or clips provided.
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4
Use lubricating jelly to gently push the cone or nozzle into your stoma and open the flow control to allow the water to run into your bowel slowly.
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5
Use lubricating jelly to gently push the cone or nozzle into your stoma and open the flow control to allow the water to run into your bowel slowly.
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6
Allow water and waste to flow out of the stoma through the irrigation sleeve and into the toilet. The entire process can take about 30 minutes to empty your bowel completely.
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7
Remove the sleeve once nothing has come out of the stoma for at least five minutes. Place the sleeve in a sealed plastic bag to dispose of it. Wash your equipment, stoma and hands thoroughly. Replace your stoma cap securely.
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