Safety & Care For Feeding Tubes

A feeding tube may be used when a patient cannot eat, due to conditions like Parkinson's disease or a stroke. When they are necessary on a long-term basis, feeding tubes are inserted directly into your abdomen. This is performed with a minor surgical procedure. When you are ready to leave the hospital, your doctor will provide detailed instructions on how to feed yourself through the tube and keep it clean. You will also learn how to monitor yourself and the tube for potential problems. Follow all of your doctor's instructions and call him if there are any problems or concerns.

Things You'll Need

• Gauze
• Cloth
• Soap
• Water
• Antibiotic cream
• Measuring container

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Instructions

• 1

  Check the tube at least once daily, particularly during the first week of use. If you notice any discharge, swelling or redness, call your doctor immediately. Change the gauze dressing around the tube daily. Clean the area one to two times daily with a soft cloth dampened in soapy water. Your doctor may recommend a specific cleaning product. He may also recommend an antibiotic cream to apply to the skin after cleaning.

• 2

  Check the tube for possible slippage once daily. Particularly during the first week, the tube may pull away from its proper place. This may cause leakage. Your doctor will point out a marker on the tube itself. This marker should always be aligned with the incision. If the tube has slipped or come out entirely, call your doctor as soon as possible. The tube may be replaced without additional surgery if it is done within one day, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.

• 3

  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water before each feeding. If your caregiver is administering the feeding, ensure that she washes her hands. Wash the container you use to measure the food.

• 4

  Flush the feeding tube with water after each feeding to prevent clogging. If you administer medication through the feeding tube, flush it after doing so. Your doctor will recommend a specific amount of water to use. Insert the water into the tube in the same manner as the feeding process. If the feeding tube does get clogged, flush it with water. If this does not clear the clog, call your doctor. He may recommend placing a new feeding tube, which will not require new surgery.

• 5

  Sit upright during each feeding, water flushing and medication administration. Lying down during these times may result in regurgitation. Remain upright for at least 30 minutes to an hour following each feeding.

• 6

  Keep the drip mechanism at the setting recommended by your doctor. The drip mechanism is a clamp located on the feeding tube. There is a lever on it that can be raised or lowered to provide for a faster or slower feeding. Ideally, each feeding will take about an hour. If you attempt to speed up the drip mechanism to shorten the feeding session, you may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, aspiration and abdominal distension.