AMPatch application:

1. Be sure skin is clean and dry (free of oil and soap residue).
2. Remove protective cover from hole in back.
3. Hold the AMPatch with the narrow piece of backing paper in place, remove larger piece of backing paper.
4. Be sure skin is flat and relaxed as much as possible.
5. Position as desired with hole over stoma, and adhere to skin by pressing top of patch firmly.
6. Remove narrow piece of backing paper and adhere remainder of patch to skin.

AMPatch removal:

1. Peel back the edge of the AMPatch and hold the edge between the thumb and forefinger of one hand.
2. With the other hand, push or stretch the skin away from the patch.

In selecting an AMPatch that best suits your needs, it is important to understand the differences between the various medical tapes used to attach the absorbent cover to the skin.

Tan, Clear and Foam Tapes

Our most popular patches are made with occlusive, or non-permeable, tapes such as the tan bandage, clear polyethylene and foam tapes.  These patches develop maximum adhesion about two hours after application, then gradually return to the level of adhesion occurring at the initial application of the AMPatch.  Because of these subtle variations in adhesion, it’s a good idea to have your AMPatch in place a couple of hours before strenuous activity.

Micropore Tape

We also offer non-occlusive, or permeable, tapes such as the Micropore tape.  Micropore tape is quite different, in that the adhesion level may double in twenty-four hours, and continue beyond that.  It may be difficult to remove this style of tape if worn beyond 24 hours.  The primary advantage of non-occlusive tapes is that they allow the skin to breathe, eliminating or minimizing redness of the skin caused by irritating substances trapped under tape.  This permeability also allows gas that is created by the colon to escape, making our breathable style AMPatches a good choice for ostomates with a regulated colostomy.

Hypoallergenic Testing of Tapes

All tapes used in the AMPatch have been tested in accordance with the Tripartite Biocompatibility Guidance for Medical Devices as put forth by the FDA and include tests for cell cytotoxicity and skin irritation. The use of the term “hypoallergenic” has come to indicate a product which is non-sensitizing to the general public as determined by the repeated insult patch test in humans, commonly known as the Draize test.  This protocol involves repeated application of samples on 200 healthy volunteers over a period of several weeks with the requirement that there is no evidence of sensitization potential under these test conditions.

General Advice

Best results are achieved when applying the AMPatch to skin that is clean and dry. Make sure there are no residual deposits of loose foreign matter on the skin.  See Instructions for AMPatch Use above.

To Increase Adhesion

Do:

• Rinse away any residual soap, perspiration or skin preparations or mucous.
• Completely dry the skin around the stoma (use a hair dryer set to low for a few seconds if you find a towel leaves your skin damp).
• Press firmly on the AMPatch when applying – especially around the edges.
• If your skin or the AMPatch are cold, try warming them with a hair dryer set to low for a few seconds; warm tape adheres better than cold tape.
• Try using a Skin Preparation if you still find you need a stronger level adhesion.  Skin Preparations can help increase adhesion, while also creating a protective film between the adhesive and the skin.  We carry some Skin Preparations, and are happy to send you samples.

Don’t:

• Touch the adhesive tape before applying the AMPatch.
• Stress or stretch the AMPatch and surrounding skin immediately after application.  If you notice that your skin typically stretches or folds around an edge of the AMPatch, consider trying a different size or shape to avoid this.  We are happy to send you samples of different styles.
• Use oily or waxy soaps, oils or lotions on the skin around the stoma.  These prevent the AMPatch from adhering properly.

To Help Prevent Skin Irritation

• Avoid rapid removal of the AMPatch.  Pull up a corner and push/stretch the skin away from the patch.
• If you develop redness around the edge of the patch, dust the edges of the AMPatch and the surrounding area with cornstarch or powder after the patch is securely in place.  This will prevent any adhesive on the edges from sticking to the skin.
• Be sure the skin around the stoma is clean and dry before applying the AMPatch.  Residue from soaps, lotions, small quantities of pouch contents, or skin preparations that did not fully dry can cause irritation when they become trapped between the skin and non-breathable tapes. Cleaning the skin with water is often the best approach.  (Residue from adhesive can be removed by pressing another piece of tape over the area and peeling back gently while supporting the skin.  It is much less irritating to the skin to simply leave the residue and apply a fresh AMPatch over it; the residue will disappear as the outer skin cells are naturally lost.  Solvent adhesive removers should be avoided as these may damage the skin.)
• Change the AMPatch when the absorbent pad becomes saturated.  Prolonged exposure to moisture can irritate the skin.
• Keep any hair around the stomal area trimmed short.  Avoid close shaving.  Remove the AMPatch in the direction of hair growth.

The AMPatch is a flexible stoma cover designed to collect and retain the mucous discharge from a stoma for individuals that have a continent ileostomy (BCIR, Koch Pouch), continent urostomy (Indiana Pouch), sigmoid colostomy, or mucous fistula.

The AMPatch is discreet, durable and comfortable, which means you can wear the AMPatch during any activity!  All styles are flexible, and can be worn during all your daily activities, as well as during intimate moments and overnight.  Our waterproof styles can also be worn during exercise, swimming and any pool or beach activities.  Wherever life takes you, you can take the AMPatch!

It is different for every individual but after it is applied, it should last until the next time you intubate or irrigate.  A single AMPatch should not be worn for more than 24 hours.  Once the absorbent pad becomes saturated, the AMPatch will begin to lose its adhesiveness.

It is not designed to be used more than once, but some individuals are able to reapply it after it is removed.

Yes, the hole size and location can be customized on every style of AMPatch.  Holes from 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ in diameter can be custom cut into the AMPatch.  You can also purchase absorbent pad inserts for most patches if you are looking to increase absorbency, or purchase the absorbent pads and precut tapes to create your own stoma cover.

Certain styles contain a carbon filter. Please see our Micropore Breathable patches, and review the MFFE and MFFR for details.

Yes, they are latex free and they are hypo allergenic, meaning that the materials used in the AMPatch have been tested and found to be free from causing allergic reactions in most individuals when used under normal circumstances.

The AMPatch is covered by many insurance plans. However, Austin Medical Products does not accept assignment. This simply means that we require payment for the product up front and you file with your insurance company for reimbursement. Your Invoice/Sales Receipt will include the HCPCS code specific to the products you ordered; please retain a copy to submit to your insurance company.  You will also need to obtain your diagnosis code from your physician.

Most of the AMPatches available in boxes of 50.  Our Micropore Breathable styles with filter are available in boxes of 30.

Yes!  Please call 1-800-223-9310, or e-mail us at info@ampatch.com to request samples of the AMPatch.  We will work with you to help you determine the right style for your needs.

There is no expiration date for the AMPatch; however, tape adhesion can be affected by extreme temperatures.  It is best to store the AMPatch at temperatures between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.