Pouching Systems






The goal is to find a pouching system you’re comfortable with, and which allows you 2-5 days of wear time without leaking.  Your Ostomy Nurse is the ideal resource for recommendations, but ostomy pouch manufactures can also be helpful in finding the right products.   Most likely, you were fitted with a clear pouch while in the hospital, which allows clinicians to monitor the health and function of your newly created stoma.  However, you are free to switch pouching systems anytime.

To help you explore pouching options, we are providing below an abbreviated list of terms to help you more effectively communicate with clinicians, manufacturers and suppliers.

Buy Ostomy Supplies HERE

Order FREE Samples HERE

 Ostomy Pouch

 An ostomy pouching system is a prosthetic medical device that provides a means for the collection of waste from a surgically diverted biological system (colon, ileum, bladder) and the creation of a stoma. Pouching systems are most commonly associated with colostomies, ileostomies, and urostomies.  -wikipedia.org

Insurance.  In “insurance speak,” pouching equipment may be referred to as “Durable Medical Equipment” or DME. Under Medicare, they are considered: “durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS).  Typically, Medicare Part B covers 80 percent of allowable charges for ostomy supplies once you meet the Part B deductible.  For Medicare patients, you must get ostomy supplies that are 1) prescribed by a provider who accepts Medicare assignment, and 2) obtained from a supplier who participates in Medicare (See, https://medicare.com/coverage/does-medicare-cover-ostomy-supplies/)

Types of Pouches

Clear Pouches

Most people who undergo ostomy surgery are fitted with a clear pouch in the hospital.  This allows clinicians to easily see and assess the new stoma.  Clear pouches typically having drainable openings and come in varying sizes

Opaque Pouches

These pouches are typically covered in a cloth-like material that conceals the contents of the pouch. They come in varying sizes and drainable and closed versions

Closed Pouches

These are single-use pouches that do not have drainable openings

Drainable Pouches

Pouches that have drainable openings to drain stool or urine

Urostomy Pouches

These pouches have a spigot at the bottom to easily drain urine

Night Drainage Systems

Used to drain high liquid output at night

Filters (Gas Release) 

Pouches designed for fecal output offer the option of a filter.  Filters are designed to release any gas that may build up in the pouch.  You can request samples with or without a filter.  Keep in mind, if the filter gets wet or clogged, the function is compromised.  Cover the filter with the stickers provided in the box or a piece of tape when you bathe or swim. 

Pouching Systems

A Pouching System includes the Pouch that collects waste and the Skin Barrier or Wafer that sticks to the body around the stoma.

1-piece Pouching System

The wafer and the pouch are attached as one piece and cannot be separated

2-Piece Pouching System

In a 2-piece system, the wafer and pouch are detachable as two separate pieces and snap together via a mechanical or adhesive coupling.

Scroll down to view the VIDEO on Pouching Options

Wafer/Skin Barrier

These terms refer to the piece of the pouching system that adheres or sticks to the skin around the stoma and then attaches to the pouch to you. In the case of a 1-piece pouching system, the wafer is permanently attached to the pouch and cannot be separated.  In the case of a 2-piece pouching system, the wafer can be removed from the pouch.  Wafers typically come in flat or convex options.  

Other Related Terms

Peristomal Skin

The skin around your stoma

Barrier Ring

These moldable sticky rings are designed to prevent leaks and shield peristomal skin.  Barrier rings fit under the wafer/skin barrier to fill in any gaps. They can be stretched, reduced or stacked to help improve the fit of the pouching system.  They are considered an accessory.  Many ostomy pouch manufacturers also manufacture barrier rings. 

Accessories

Accessories are products that are in addition to the pouching system.  For example; barrier rings, tapes, pastes, deodorizers, pouch covers, etc., are considered accessories. A friend of mine likes to call them "condiments" because although they’re not a necessity, they enhance the experience!

Manufacturer or Supplier?

The difference between a manufacturer and a supplier is commonly confusing, but we need to know which one is our primary source for samples and for ongoing ostomy supplies.

Manufacturers make and produce ostomy products, and most will send 1 or 2 free samples, upon request.  Beyond samples, however, manufacturers cannot send ongoing ostomy supplies. 

GET FREE SAMPLES 

Manufacturer websites are also an excellent place to find free recovery programs & educational information.  Several manufacturers are listed on the Ostomy 101 App.

Suppliers distribute and ship a variety of ostomy and medical supplies. A supplier is your source for ongoing ostomy supplies.  There are suppliers who work with Insurance and out-of-pocket suppliers. If you have insurance, call and find out which suppliers partner with your insurance.   If you’re uninsured, connect with suppliers who offer an “out-of-pocket” option (they’re often the most cost-effective option). 

Suppliers websites often have free educational information, blogs, and videos.  

Caution!  Ostomy supplies are typically NOT available at drug stores, pharmacies, or medical supply stores in the USA.  Therefore, it’s essential to connect with a supplier as soon as you can following your surgery, and always plan ahead in regard to your ostomy supply needs. Watch the Ostomy 101 video on Managing Your Supplies.

Information provided by Ostomy 101 is NOT medical advice.  Consult a Healthcare provider for all medical needs.




The Ostomy Files: One-Piece vs. Two-Piece

Author: Adam Page

OSTOMY | MAY 20, 2019

Hello everyone and welcome to another hotly-anticipated edition of the Ostomy Files! The staff here at Medical Monks understands that becoming an ostomate can seem overwhelming. A new patient will be presented with many alternatives when it comes to products. Some of these choices will be pre-determined by their medical condition, but many more, in the end, come down to personal preference. Figuring out what works can be a long process of trial-and-error. Today, we’re going to help ease the transition by exploring one of the most basic choices faced by new ostomates: should I use a one or two-piece pouching system?

Components of a Pouching System

First, we’ll cover a little background for the uninitiated. When it comes to pouching systems there are two main components: the barrier and the pouch. The barrier is generally a flat or convex disc with adhesive on one side that sticks to a person’s peristomal area (the skin around the stoma). These come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate different stoma and/or body shapes. The pouch, no less important, is the receptacle for the ostomy output. Pouches are also available in various sizes and can be drainable or closed for convenient disposal.

What’s the Difference?

A one-piece pouching system is exactly what is sounds like. It’s all… one piece. These systems take the two components and combine them into one inseparable product The two-piece versions take the barrier and pouch and separate them into, you guessed it, two pieces! But why would someone choose one over the other? Is one inherently better? Let’s examine these questions in more detail.

One-Piece Pros and Cons

Patients choose a one-piece for a variety of situations. A common reason is simple familiarity. Many hospitals choose to stay stocked with mostly one-piece products for convenience and cost-saving purposes, and often patients choose to stick to what they’ve been given post-surgery.

For others, having the two parts attached can lend a sense of security – you can generally be sure the pouch will not detach from the barrier. Also, without the extra attachments they are generally lower-profile, meaning flatter on the tummy, which comes in handy when trying to hide your system under more form-fitting clothing.

The issue some folks run into is that one-piece products tend to need changing fairly often. Usually because the pouch, being attached, cannot be easily cleaned out. This can cause more irritation to the skin than might be experienced otherwise, and will also likely cause the patient to go through accessories, such as skin prep and remover wipes, more quickly.

Two-Piece Convenience

Two-piece is the convenient choice. It’s the modern choice. With these systems the barriers and pouches connect together via some kind of securement – typically a plastic flange that clicks or fits together like a Tupperware lid. This is convenient for many reasons. As noted above, it gives a patient the ability to remove and clean out a drainable pouch for re-use. It also offers more flexibility when draining in, say, a public restroom. It’s easy to imagine the difficulty of positioning a pouch affixed to your stomach into the correct place while inside a cramped stall.

A separate barrier also gives a colostomy patient the option of using closed-end, disposable pouches. For many folks, mainly those with consistently solid output, these pouches are the ultimate in convenience. They allow the user to simply remove the pouch when full, dispose, and replace with a new pouch onto the same barrier – no drainage required. While closed pouches are produced in one-piece form for special cases, they require a peel-and-replace process several times a day. Any ostomate will tell you that’s not very kind to your skin. A two-piece arrangement is what makes closed pouches possible.

That’s not to say two-piece systems don’t have their drawbacks. One is the cost. Barriers and pouches are generally sold separately. This doesn’t typically double the cost when compared to a one-piece, but it will certainly lighten the pocketbook a bit more for those paying out-of-pocket.

Which Option is Right for Me?

Patients should consider the pros and cons above. Do you value the security, cost savings, and style offered when the pouch and barrier are affixed? If so, you may want to use a one-piece system. If you prefer flexibility and ease of use, perhaps a two-piece system would be more to your liking.

CLICK HERE to Buy Ostomy Supplies