About Patients
Patient Support Information
What You Need to Know
Think about a time in your life when you felt intimidated, scared, or confused.That's similar to what many patients feel in the days or weeks before their ostomy surgery and in the months afterward. The good news is that you can help make their surgery and recovery more manageable by ordering them a ConvaTec Starter Kit™.
Your patients will receive the ConvaTec Starter Kit™ blue travel tote along with the samples and accessories you prescribe. The ConvaTec Customer Interaction Center (CIC) then follows up with your patient with a phone call to answer any questions they may have concerning kits or the application/ removal of their ostomy products.
CIC has WOC nurses on staff and available for your patient if they have questions concerning products, suppliers, support groups or lifestyle challenges. We are here to help.
To speak with a ConvaTec WOC Nurse call the ConvaTec Customer Interaction Center at 1-800-422-8811 or visit www.convatecstarterkit.com to order your patient ostomy samples today.
Skin Care for Patients
Prevention is a crucial part of a successful peristomal skin care regimen. You can help your patients living with an ostomy prevent peristomal skin issues by providing them with helpful skin care tips.
Healthy Peristomal Skin Care Practices tips:
- Mold or cut the opening of your skin barrier to the stoma's size before you apply the pouch.
- For cleansing, use soaps that don't leave residue. This ensures that the adhesive will stick. Also, try to avoid soaps with fragrance. They can irritate the skin.
- If you notice leaking effluent change your barrier immediately.
- Use accessories to help achieve a better fit.
Click here to learn more about using accessory products
As a general rule, healthy peristomal skin should look the same as skin anywhere else on the body. Often times, when the barrier is removed the patient will notice some redness from the adhesive. That's normal. If the redness does not go away, however, it could be the sign of a peristomal skin issue. Discomfort is another sign that their peristomal skin is not healthy.
Remember:
It does not take much time or a large amount of effluent touching the peristomal skin for it to be damaged. The damage is not always easy to detect. That's why you should have your patients familiarize themselves with a tool such as the Peristomal Skin Issue Identification and Management Guide*. This way, they will know the warning signs and how to manage the skin issue.
- Convatec Moldable Technology™ Skin Barriers
- Choosing the Right Adhesive
- The Difference Between Flat and Convex?
Choosing the Right Pouch
Whether your patients choose a 1-piece or 2-piece ostomy system depends on their lifestyle and personal preferences. The chart below is a useful tool for helping your patients understand the advantages and limitations of the various pouch types and systems.
Ostomy Systems
2-Piece
Because you can remove just the pouch vs. the entire ostomy system, this allows you to easily and quickly change the type of pouch you use based on your activity for the day. Both drainable and closed-end pouches are available with these systems. ConvaTec offers 2 systems in the 2-piece line: SUR-FIT Natura® and Esteem synergy® ostomy systems. Each system is different and made to fit individual preferences
1-Piece
One-piece systems are simple to use. The one-piece system is completely removed each time you need to change your system. It is available in drainable and closed-end versions.
POUCHING CHOICES
People living with an ostomy have a range of pouching needs, which is why ConvaTec offers a broad line of pouching options.
Closed-End Pouches
- Clean & Neat. Unlike a drainable pouch there's no messy emptying, cleaning up and resealing. You get a fresh start every time you change.
- Fast & Easy. Because you remove the pouch vs. draining and cleaning it changing time is quick! Simply apply a fresh pouch and you're on your way.
- Security & Versability. These pouches are sealed for protection against leakage at the bottom, so you feel secure and confident.
Drainable Pouches
These pouches can be emptied several times a day when you choose. With a range of features and closure options you can find the one that's right for you.
Urostomy Pouch Closure
People living with a urostomy have unique needs, which is why ConvaTec offers a pouch product line especially for urostomies. ConvaTec urostomy pouches have an anti-reflux valve, comfort panels and a choice of two types of taps.
Urostomy Night Drainage
Night Drainage sets allow you to hook your pouch up to a bedside container. This allows you to sleep through the night without having to get up to empty your pouch.