Did you know that about one in 500 Americans live with an ostomy? This figure translates to roughly 725,000 to 1 million people having an ostomy in the US, so if you live with one, you’re not alone.
People living with an ostomy can find it challenging to adjust to life, so it’s crucial to have convenient practices that make living easier. This means learning the proper ways to store your ostomy supplies can make living with this condition a little easier.
After all, having ostomy supplies in one place ensures your pouches and other medical equipment aren’t at risk of damage or are difficult to find when needed. It also reduces the chance of wasting money since you won’t lose any of the items you need daily.
Yet, we understand that it can be challenging to learn how to properly store your ostomy supplies which is why Sarasota Medical Products wants to tell you everything you should know about proper storage methods. So continue reading our blog to gain the insight you need to live an easier life with this condition.
What Are Three Ways You Can Store Your Ostomy Supplies?
Before we delve into the three ways you should store your ostomy supplies, we want to stress that they need to be stored in a relatively cool environment no matter how you choose to store them.
This is primarily because hot environments can negatively affect the adhesiveness of certain ostomy supplies. Yet, the environment shouldn’t be too cold or moist as this can also affect your adhesives.
Now that you know this, we can discuss properly storing your ostomy supplies at home.
- In Cooler Storage
If you’re always traveling or want more freedom when storing your ostomy supplies, you can store them in a cooler box or bag. Storing them in this bag will make it convenient and quick for those who are always on the go and never have time to pack up their supplies.
Storing them like this at home is also convenient since you will have one location for these medical supplies eliminating the likelihood of them getting lost or damaged.
Depending on the size of your cooler box or a travel bag, you should store about five sets of products alongside the necessary accessories and medical equipment, including deodorizers, scissors, disposable bags, and other emergency items.
Doing this will give you peace of mind at home and when you’re away.
- In A Cupboard
One of the best and most reliable places to store your ostomy supplies is in a dedicated cupboard in your home that is cool but not too cold or damp. Many ostomy patients use an entire pantry, wardrobe, or cabinet away from prying eyes to keep their ostomy supplies safe.
However, if you store your ostomy supplies in a cupboard, you must ensure it remains organized, as it can be easy for this storage option to become messy. Some people choose to get dividers or containers and label them to compartmentalize each needed item. This usually helps keep things tidy and easily accessible.
Storing ostomy supplies in a cupboard in compartments with dividers or containers will ensure you always know when you’re running low on supplies and limit the likelihood of an emergency.
- In Individually Wrapped Packages
Suppose you don’t want to use a dedicated cupboard or cooler storage. In that case, you can create individually wrapped packages containing ostomy supplies that you can store anywhere from in your closet or shelving to clothing trolleys or desks.
This is one of the best ways to properly store your ostomy supplies since you can make ready-to-use ostomy kits by placing each medical item in zip lock bags and then wrapping them together in cling wrap or another type of packaging.
However, if you use this storage method, you need to stay on top of it by setting aside time each week to make these kits so it is easier to grab and use whenever required.
Although there are more ways to store your ostomy supplies, we believe these are the best methods as they are convenient and practical. So if you’re ready to try out one of our suggestions, why not purchase your ostomy supplies from Sarasota Medical Products?
We develop and distribute the most reliable and safe ostomy products. So, contact our team here, and we’ll help you find the medical items you need to make life with your condition easier because we care about our patients.