We can’t deny the fact that there is an overwhelming amount of information about Covid 19 that you can find online. However, it surely isn’t easy to determine what is true and what is not. Good thing, the Government of British Columbia has come up with a way of stopping the spread of misinformation. You can now keep yourself updated with the latest news and information about Covid 19 through an app. You can also access it online.
With the pandemic, lots of people lost their jobs and their loved ones. Quarantine and lockdowns have placed a distance between family and friends. So, it is quite normal for people to feel depressed, …
Peristomal Skin Assessment Guide
Having troubles with your ostomy can surely take a toll on your life. You will live your days full of worries and concerns. However, now, there are available tools that can help you determine what’s wrong with your skin and what you can do about it.
Introducing the Peristomal Skin Assessment Guide
WOCN or the Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses developed the so-called Peristomal Skin Assessment Guide. You can download it as an app or make use of it online. By using it, you will be asked some questions to assess your ostomy. Afterward, it will provide you with a possible solution that you can try out.
…
Things to Avoid When Taking Wound Swabs
When wounds get infected, taking a wound swab is often the next thing to follow. Although there are no specific steps in taking it, it is very important to prevent making faulty practices. Here are some things that you definitely should avoid doing.
Before taking a wound swab:
Get rid of all the dirty dressing, slough, and other contaminating materials.
Gently remove it with the use of the saline solution.
Don’t leave out any residue to prevent the infection from advancing. If you have dry wounds, moisten the swab with a sterile saline solution first.
The reason for this is because when…
Life after Ostomy Surgery – Here’s Some Tips and Tricks!
After undergoing ostomy surgery, for sure, your mind would be full of questions about what your life will be like, so here, we would be answering some of the questions you might just have.
Is it okay to shower with my pouch? It is up to you. Nowadays, there are pouches that you can wear or remove while showering. There is no problem if your pouch gets wet because you can just simply pat it dry.
How often should I change my pouch? In most cases, pouches are changed twice a week. However, some patients prefer changing it only once a week. One indication that you should change your pouch is when you feel an itching or burning …
Ostomy Wound Care
Although caring for an ostomy wound is often viewed as a daunting task, having the right knowledge makes it much easier, especially with the use of the right supplies. So, let’s start with your pouch system, and the barrier is the most important part since it protects your wound from waste and prevents odor.
If you have a mushy stool, then it is advisable for you to look for a drainable pouch with an opening located at the bottom. On the other hand, if your stool is difficult to squeeze out, choose a closed pouch that is thrown out after every use. You need to be familiar with the right way of applying it to avoid tape burn.
…
Why Ostomy is Different from a Wound
People often mistake ostomy for a wound when in fact, they are not the same at all. A wound is an injury usually involving membrane breaking and tissue damage. At the same time, an ostomy is done to create an artificial passage for the body waste. The surgery to create an ostomy involves redesigning the body so that waste can pass through an opening called the stoma.
Ostomy specialists and care associates play a very important role in providing support to patients before and after they undergo surgery. Not only do they provide professional advice, but they also assist patients in finding the right products like wafers for their body…
Understanding Ostomy
Ostomy is a hole made through surgery that allows waste to leave your body without the need for it to pass through your intestines. To create this, your colon or a part of it needs to be removed. The surgeon would then bring a piece of your intestine through a stoma that looks red or pink. Instead of the rectum, the body waste would pass through the stoma, and a disposable pouch is placed over it to collect the waste.
Before having the surgery, your surgeon will find the best spot for the stoma. Generally, the surgeon takes a part of your internal organ and will connect it to an opening in the abdominal wall. It will take you a few …