G-tube continuous feeding
page 3
Flushing with continuous feeding When giving continuous feeding, flush the G-Tube every 3 to 4 hours. This will keep it from getting clogged. 1. Stop the feeding. (Turn the pump off or to “hold.”) 2. Draw up 50 to 75 cubic centimeters or milliliters (or the amount his doctor tells you) of warm water into the syringe.
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3. Take the feeding bag tube out of the G-Tube feeding port. Pinch the tubing so the food won’t flow out. (Hold ports higher than stomach.)
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4. Slowly push the water into the feeding port to clear all of the feeding from the G-tube. 5. When the G-Tube is clear, connect the feeding bag tube back to the feeding port of the G-Tube. 6. Turn the pump back on. (Or turn from “hold” back to “run.”)
CAUTION If you can’t flush the G-Tube, don’t connect the tubes. Call the doctor or nurse.
© Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc., Atlanta, GA From The Teaching Book. Use restricted by license agreement.
G-tube continuous feeding
page 2
You can make notes on the pump set-up here:
Type of pump________________________________ Rate _______________________________________ RUN
Start time __________________________________
HOLD
OFF
Stop time___________________________________ Amount (cubic centimeters or milliliters) _________ _______________________________________
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Other directions _____________________________
________________________________________ ________________________________________
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________________________________________
The company that you got the pump from will also leave written instructions on: • how to use the pump • what to do when an alarm occurs • electrical safety with the pump • battery power Keep this information close to the pump to refer to when needed. Ask the nurse how often you should replace the feeding bag and tube. Write that in here: Change bag every __________________________.
Continued on next page. © Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc., Atlanta, GA From The Teaching Book. Use restricted by license agreement.
G-Tube continuous feeding raised 30°
This type of feeding is for those who can’t take a lot of food at one time. The feeding is dripped slowly into the stomach, sometimes all day and night. You connect the feeding bag to the feeding port of the G-tube. Most of the time, a pump is used. This makes the feeding go in at a slow, steady rate.
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1. Pour the formula or feeding into the feeding bag.
2. Let a small amount run through the feeding bag tube to clear out all the air. (This helps prevent gas and problems with the pump.) The feeding should run through the bag until it begins to come out the tube. 3. Close the clamp on the feeding bag tube.
clamp
4. Set up the pump. (The nurse or someone from the company that supplies the pump will teach you how to do this.) 5. Place the tip of the feeding bag tube securely into the G-Tube feeding port. 6. Open the clamp on the tube. 7. Turn the pump to start/run.
feeding bag
pump RUN
OFF
HOLD
clamp
feeding port
G-Tube
feeding bag tube
Continued on next page. © Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc., Atlanta, GA From The Teaching Book. Use restricted by license agreement.