Management

Stoma Care: Preparing to Irrigate

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Step-by-Step

Supplies for stoma irrigation, including irrigation kit with bag, tubing with cone, clamp, sleeve, and lubricant.

1. Gather your supplies in the bathroom.

Hands scrubbing with soap under faucet with running water.

2. Wash your hands.

Clamp handle on bag tubing being twisted to the right.

3. Turn the clamp on the tubing.

Clamp handle horizontal and tubing closed.

4. Make sure it’s closed.

Hand holding bag up and other hand pouring pitcher of water into opening at top of bag.

5. Fill the bag with warm water.

Person hanging water bag and tubing with cone on wall hook.

6. Hang the bag on a hook on the wall by the toilet.

Person sitting next to water bag and tubing with cone on wall hook and line showing bag is level with person’s shoulders.

7. Sit by the toilet with the bag at shoulder level.

Person removing pouch by pulling it away from stoma.

8. Remove your pouch.

Person wiping stoma with clean cloth.

9. Gently clean around the stoma as directed.

Person lining up circle opening of sleeve to fit on skin barrier around stoma.

10. Attach the irrigation sleeve.

One hand holding open lubricant tube toward cone and other hand holding tip of cone at end of tubing.

11. Apply lubricant to the cone tip.

Person sitting next to toilet near hanging water bag with arrow showing irrigation sleeve opening in toilet.

12. Place the sleeve end into the toilet.

Online Medical Reviewer: Jen Lehrer MD

Online Medical Reviewer: John Hanrahan MD

Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN

Date Last Reviewed: 06/01/2025

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

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