What Should You Have in an Ostomy Emergency Kit?

When it comes to medical conditions, being prepared is the key to successfully handling any issues that arise. However, preparation tactics are different for most conditions. For ostomy care, having an emergency kit on hand is the best way to be ready for anything.

But what should you have in an ostomy emergency kit? In this post, we’ll cover the main components you should include, as well as the type of bag you should use to store all these items.

Items To Have in Your Kit

Even though preparation is key, you can only fit so many items in an emergency kit. In this list, we’ll go over all the things we think someone with a stoma should have.

Extra Bags

The most obvious inclusions in any emergency kit are extra ostomy bags. Extra bags are necessary for people who use closed-end pouches, but those who use drainable ones should still carry an extra pouch just in case. At the very least, drainable pouch users should carry an extra clip in case they lose or break the one they’re using. Extra barrier rings and stoma caps are good ideas as well.

Various Wipes

When it comes to ostomy care, messes can sometimes be an issue you’ll need to prepare for. Having a variety of wipes available in your kit will help with this. Standard dry wipes will be useful for most cleanups, but having specialty ones available will also come in handy. For example, adhesive-remover wipes and skin-barrier wipes are two common ones many ostomy patients always carry.

Sanitary Equipment

Right after wipes, the next thing you should pack should be some sanitary equipment. When handling your stoma, you won’t want to get it infected. Even though you’ll likely be in a bathroom where you can wash your hands, you can’t always rely on that. Having items such as hand sanitizers, disposable gloves, and general-use soap will help keep your hands and stoma clean while dealing with your ostomy bag.

Disposable Bags

Another thing you can’t expect to always be around is a trash bin to toss your ostomy pouch and other supplies into. If there’s nowhere to throw this stuff away, you’ll need a spot to store it until you can. Disposable bags are perfect for this. Just make sure they’re sealable, so nothing gets out.

Handheld Mirror

In general, one of the biggest struggles of dealing with a stoma is difficulty seeing what you’re doing. Stomas are usually in spots that can be hard to work around. When you’re at home, you can use the mirror to see things more clearly, but that won’t be an option if you’re on the go. Keeping a small mirror in your emergency kit will allow you to view your stoma at angles not normally possible, making some problems easier to deal with.

Scissors and Tape

Having a pair of scissors and some tape in your emergency bag if there’s enough room is never a bad idea. Some ostomy supplies require cutting to shape or removal from a sealed bag. Scissors will help make both tasks much easier, especially during an emergency.

As for the tape, you can use it if you ever cut something you weren’t supposed to. More importantly, though, the tape can seal up an ostomy pouch if there’s a hole and you don’t have any extra bags to replace it with.

Instructions and Information

Even though you’ll be able to handle most ostomy emergencies on your own, you might occasionally need another person’s assistance. If that’s the case, having a list of instructions on how to replace or empty your bag will be quite useful to them. Of course, you can always use them yourself if you’re still getting the hang of using these pouches.

Some other useful information to include in your kit is your doctor’s name and number. If a situation gets out of hand, you should have the information to call them. Writing in the number of a trusted ostomy bag accessories supplier is also a good idea for those times you run out of supplies in your emergency kit.

Qualities To Look For in a Bag

Now that you have an idea of what to include in your ostomy emergency kit, you should also know what type of bag you should use for it. Whether you decide to store this kit away or carry it with you when you leave the house, the right bag can make all the difference.

Plenty of Storage Space

Storage space is the first thing to consider for your new emergency kit bag. If you decide to include everything we listed above, you’ll want something with a lot of room in it. The more space there is, the more prepared you can be.

Easy Accessibility

Storage space means nothing if you can’t find what you’re looking for. That’s why you should also consider the bag’s accessibility. Buying something with multiple compartments inside will make it much easier to organize and find specific items quickly.

A completely open bag is going to be difficult to dig through. Plus, if you include scissors or any other sharp objects, you could accidentally cut your supplies or your hand if everything is jumbled together.

Compact and Light

While a large bag with multiple compartments is ideal, you’ll still need to consider the size and weight of the bag. If you plan on traveling with it, you’ll need to have something not too bulky that doesn’t weigh you down. If you store it at home, it needs to be able to fit inside a drawer or packed cabinet.

Something Stylish

Finally, you want to pick a bag that you like the look of, especially if you plan on taking it with you when you go out. A bag that fits your style won’t look out of place when you’re out with friends or traveling. This way, most people won’t give the bag a second look. Even if they notice it, they’ll simply compliment it, not realizing it’s your ostomy emergency kit. Plus, carrying around a stylish bag can improve your self-confidence, which can be a struggle for many ostomy patients.