How to Care for a Gastrostomy Tube

There are a variety of medical issues that can necessitate the insertion of a gastrostomy tube, also known as a "G-Tube." Patients who have difficulty chewing or swallowing or who have abnormalities with their esophagus need to be able to maintain adequate nutrition. A gastrostomy tube can help ensure adequate caloric and nutritional intake by creating a route for nourishment directly to the stomach. The procedure takes less than an hour, and learning to care for the G-Tube takes some time and practice. Proper care and cleaning of the tube is essential to help ensure that it remains functional and does not cause an infection.

Things You'll Need

• Gastrostomy tube
• Tape
• Scissors
• Bandages
• Dressings
• Sterile water
• Peroxide
• Syringe
• Petroleum jelly
• Sterile gauze pads

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands carefully with soap and water before and after you handle a gastrostomy tube. It is easy to transmit germs and bacteria into the open wound while cleaning or caring for your tube. Good hand-washing technique will help minimize the risk of germs entering the opening.

• 2

  Gather all of the supplies that you will need to clean and care for the gastrostomy tube before you begin. If your tube is secured to your skin with tape or a bandage, remove the tape carefully and use caution to not pull the tube out unnecessarily. It is a good idea to hold the tube down with one hand while removing the tape with your other hand.

• 3

  Change the dressings around the gastrostomy tube any time it becomes wet or dirty. To do this, cleanse the area around the tube opening with a sterile gauze pad moistened with sterile water and peroxide. Remove any dried fluids and discharge around the tube opening, and dispose of the old dressings prior to securing the tube with new dressings.

• 4

  Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly or A and D ointment to prevent the skin surrounding the gastrostomy tube from drying out. Skin dryness can occur from frequent cleansing of the area, which is necessary to prevent infection and contamination of the site. Using petroleum jelly or A and D ointment will help prevent irritation that can occur from the cleansing process.

• 5

  Flush your gastrostomy tube with 50 ml of water twice daily. This helps ensure the tube is kept clear of any possible obstructions or debris. It is also a good idea to flush the gastrostomy tube after each meal and medication administration.

• 6

  Avoid applying tension to the outside of the tube. Gastrostomy tubes have a small amount of allowable movement when they are inserted, usually about 1/4 inch. Excessive pulling on the tube can cause the tube to become dislodged or loose.

• 7

  Rotate the gastrostomy tube completely once every 24 hours. Rotating the tube will help ensure the edges of the incision do not become stuck to the tube itself. This will help keep the wound clean and free of solid debris and help reduce the risk of developing an infection.