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Accessories
These are products that may be used to enhance the performance of your pouching system (i.e. pastes, ostomy belts, skin barrier rings), or to provide additional comfort when wearing pouches (i.e. deodorizers, pouch covers) |
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Adhesively Coupled Pouches
These are two-piece pouching systems that rely on adhesive to join together to function. Usually the adhesive portion is on the pouch and is adhered to the pre-attached skin barrier on the skin. |
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Allergy
A negative response to a substance. In ostomy care, a person may be allergic to some part of the pouching system, such as the tape. However, allergies are fairly uncommon and there may be other reasons for a reaction to a material. |
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Barrier Opening
The skin barrier opening is defined by the hole in the skin barrier. It is usually the same size as the stoma, but should not be smaller than the diameter of the stoma. |
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Burping the Pouch
In a two-piece ostomy pouching system, this term is used to describe the intentional partial separation of the flanges to allow gas to escape. |
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Closed Pouch
A pouch that is not drainable from the bottom. When disposing, it is removed, and emptied. Most often, a person with a colostomy with formed stool would use this type of pouch. |
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Convexity
This is the outward curving of the portion of the pouching system that has contact with the skin (i.e. the skin barrier). The convex shape provides pressure and support to the peristomal skin. It is often advisable to check with a stoma care nurse if convexity is needed. |
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Cut-To-Fit Skin Barrier
A cut-to-fit skin barrier needs to be custom cut before it is applied to the body. There may be a small starter hole in the center of the skin barrier where scissors can be placed to make cutting easier. A cut-to-fit barrier is ideal if the stoma is still changing size or if the shape of the stoma is not round. |
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Drainable Pouch
A pouch that opens from the bottom to empty the contents. A drainable pouch requires some type of clamp or integral closure on the bottom to keep it closed. A person with a colostomy or ileostomy (NOT a urostomy) would use this type of pouch. |
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Extended Wear Skin Barriers
These are skin barriers formulated to stay on the skin for longer periods before changing. They are often used as well with discharge that may be more fluid, to offer longer wear time. |
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Flange
The flange is a plastic ring that is on a two-piece pouching system. The flange on the pouch and the flange on the skin barrier must match to create a secure pouching system. Letters or colors may be used to help in correctly matching the flanges depending on the type of product and the manufacturer. |
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Flat Skin Barrier
The skin barrier on this product is NOT curved or convex. It may be part of a one-piece or two-piece system. |
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Floating Flange
The flange (plastic ring) and the skin barrier can move independently of each other. This means the skin barrier is more flexible and it eases flange attachment. |
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Irritation
Any inflammation or soreness. In ostomy care, it usually refers to the skin. A skin irritation may be seen as skin that is reddened, open, and/or moist. |
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Leg Bag
A collection bag for urine that attaches to the leg. A person with a urostomy is able to connect his/her pouch to a leg bag. |
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Lubricating Deodorant
An accessory product that deodorizes the pouch contents while making the pouch easier to empty. It can be used with a colostomy or ileostomy. It is often used to prevent 'pancaking'. |
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Moldable Skin Barrier
A moldable skin barrier needs to be customized before it is applied to the body. There is usually a small starter hole in the center of the skin barrier where fingers can be placed to make molding easier instead of using scissors. A moldable barrier is ideal if the stoma is still changing size, if the shape of the stoma is not round, or if scissors are not ideal to use. |
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Night Drainage Bag
A large collection bag for urine. A person with a urostomy is able to connect his/her pouch to a night drainage bag. Often called an overnight bag. |
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Occlusive Tape
This is a plastic film with adhesive that may be used to help hold an ostomy pouch on to the skin. Occlusive tape does not allow moisture to pass through the tape (i.e. the skin does not 'breathe') |
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One-Piece Pouch
A one-piece system which includes a skin barrier, and a pouch and sometimes a tape border that are already attached. Most one-piece pouching systems do not include a plastic ring or flange that limits the ability of the pouch to flex with changes in the body. Generally, a one-piece system can feel more flexible than a two-piece system. |
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Opaque
This refers to pouch film that is colored. It is designed to help conceal the contents of the pouch. |
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Paste
Ostomy paste is used to fill uneven skin surfaces around the stoma or gaps around the skin barrier opening to help prevent leakage. It is not like using wallpaper paste. It is a skin filler. Formulations vary from manufacturer to manufacturer but most pastes contain alcohol and can sting on broken skin. |
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Porous Paper Tape
This is paper with adhesive that may be used to help hold an ostomy pouch on the skin. Porous tape allows moisture vapor to pass through the tape and not be trapped on the skin. Sometimes referred to as "breathable" tape. |
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Powder
Ostomy powder (not talc) is a specific accessory for use on small broken areas of skin or irritation around the stoma. It is applied sparingly and the excess brushed off before applying the skin barrier. Once the irritation has cleared, it is generally no longer required. |
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Pouch
The bag that collects the discharge from the stoma. |
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Pre-Cut Skin Barriers
The skin barrier opening on these products has already been cut for added convenience. Generally these are used when the stoma is round (not oval) and the size is not continually changing. |
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Protective Wipes
These are wipes impregnated with a material that dries after application to provide additional skin protection or make removal of the skin barrier easier. It is advisable to ensure the skin is dry before applying another skin barrier. Some of these contain alcohol and can sting on broken skin – in these cases use a product which is alcohol-free. |
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Remover Wipes
These are wipes impregnated with a solvent to dissolve skin barriers and remove tapes and their residues. It is advisable to ensure that all the remover is washed off the skin before applying another skin barrier. |
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Seals/Rings
These are circles of skin barrier material used to fill uneven skin surfaces around the stoma. These are molded and shaped to the desired size to fit around the stoma and prevent leakage. These are generally alcohol-free and a good alternative to paste. |
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Skin Barrier
A product placed on the body for the purpose of protecting the skin around the stoma. Skin barriers are adhesive and have different properties based upon formulation. These formulations vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some are extended wear and some are standard wear. (Note: skin barrier is the correct term – some people use other words such as flange or wafer, which can be inaccurate). |
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Standard Wear Skin Barriers
These are skin barriers formulated to stay on the skin for shorter periods before changing and require more frequent removal. They are often used with discharge that may be less fluid, such as with a colostomy. |
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Stoma Measuring Guide
A card used to measure the stoma at the base. This information is useful in selecting the right size pouch or skin barrier. |
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Tape (Adhesive) Border
This is a product that has tape around the outside of the skin barrier—like a picture frame. It helps to hold the pouching system securely in place and to protect the skin barrier from rolling or lifting on the edges. |
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Tapered Skin Barrier
This is where the skin barrier is thicker around the stoma and thinner at the outside edge. |
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Transparent Pouch
The pouch film on this product is designed to allow viewing of the pouch contents. This is preferred in some situations. |
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Two-Piece Pouch
A two-piece system includes a skin barrier with flange (and sometimes top) and a pouch with flange. The two flanges lock together to create the pouching system. The flanges influence the flexibility of the pouch because they are plastic and may not be as flexible as a skin barrier alone. Two-piece products offer versatility to change pouches or reposition without removing the barrier from the skin. |
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Urostomy Pouch
This type of pouch has a drain tap or spout at the end since it is designed to drain liquid contents (urine) from the pouch. A person with a urostomy or urinary diversion would use this type of pouch. |
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Wear Time
This is the length of time a product can be worn before failure. Failure is usually the result of barrier erosion or separation from the skin surface. Wear time varies widely not only from person to person, but sometimes from climate to climate. The goal of selecting an appropriate ostomy product is to provide a predictable and consistent wear time with realistic expectations. It is not usually advisable to wear the product to fail point each time. |
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