2011 Giving Tube Feedings at Home (by Gravity)
Giving Tube Feedings at Home (by Gravity) This information will help you learn to give your tube feedings at home. Giving formula through the feeding tube will help you keep nourished until you are able to eat again by mouth. A G-tube (gastrostomy tube) is a feeding tube placed directly into the stomach through an opening made in the wall of the abdomen. G-tube feedings are usually given as meals spaced through the day. Each feeding is usually given over an hour or two. The tube you have is called a. The tube is size French. The length of the tube from your abdomen is cm or inches. Recheck the length of the tube before each feeding and before giving any medicine through the tube. If the length of the tube has changed, do not use. Contact your doctor to have the tube position checked. Your dietitian will suggest the type and amount of formula you should use. 1
Getting Started 1. Clean your work area (table or counter top) and wash your hands. 2. Gather your supplies Formula (store and give at room temperature) Feeding bag with tubing Pole or hook for hanging the feeding bag 60 ml Syringe either a luer lock syringe with blue adapter or a catheter tip syringe Water at room temperature 3. Prepare the formula Check the expiry date on the formula. (Do not use past the expiry date.) Wipe the top of the can with a clean cloth. Shake the formula well. Do not heat the formula. Do not mix the formula with medicines. If formula was refrigerated, take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before using it. 2
4. Prepare the feeding set Close the roller clamp on the tubing. Pour your formula into the bag. Cover any left over formula. Put the date and time on the can. Place it in the fridge. After 24 hours, opened formula is too old to use and must be thrown out. Attach the tubing to the feeding bag (screw on snug). 3
Hang feeding bag on the pole or hook 45-60 cms (18-24 inches) above the abdomen. Squeeze drip chamber to fill it half full. Remove cover from end of tubing. 4
Open roller clamp on the tube to let the formula run through to the end. This gets rid of the air. Close the roller clamp. 5. Giving the Feeding Measure the length of the g-tube from your abdomen before each feeding. If the length of the tube from the abdomen has changed, do not use. Contact your doctor to have the tube position checked. Close clamp or pinch your g- tube. Open cap on end of your g-tube. Attach the feeding bag tube to your g-tube. 5
Unclamp or un-pinch your g-tube. Slowly open the roller clamp on the feeding bag tubing. Adjust the roller clamp to give your feeding over the suggested time. To give Aim for 1 can over 1 hour 15 drops in 15 seconds 2 cans over 2 hours 15 drops in 15 seconds 1 can over 3/4 hours 20 drops in 15 seconds 2 cans over 1 1/2 hours 20 drops in 15 seconds 1 can over 1/2 hour 30 drops in 15 seconds 1 1/2 cans over 3/4 hour 30 Drops in 15 seconds 2 cans over 1 hour 30 Drops in 15 seconds 6
Remember Sit in an upright position. If, in bed, raise your head at least 30 degrees or prop yourself up with pillows behind your back. You can walk around while doing your feeding. Do not lie flat while feeding or for at least 30 minutes after the feeding finishes. 7
6. Flushing Your Tube with Water When the feeding is finished Close roller clamp on the tubing. Add ml of water to the feeding bag (follow dietitians guide on how much extra water you need). Open the roller clamp on the tubing and run water fairly quickly through your tubing. Then close the roller clamp on the tubing. Draw ml of water into a 60 ml syringe. Close clamp or pinch your g-tube. Take the feeding bag tube out of your g-tube. Attach the syringe to your g-tube. 8
Open clamp or un-pinch g-tube. Push on the plunger of the syringe to flush your g-tube. Close clamp or pinch g-tube. Remove syringe and close the cap on the end of your g-tube. 9
Cleaning Your Feeding Equipment Throw out any formula left in the feeding bag. Rinse the feeding bag, tubing and syringe with clean cool water. Wash hard sided bag and tubing with warm water and dish detergent, using a bottle brush. Rinse well with warm water and let air dry. Check equipment. If cracked, leaking or you see any mold throw out and replace. Use feeding sets and syringes for 2 weeks then replace. Store equipment and unopened cans in a clean, dry place. Do not hang the formula for longer than 8 hours. Note: If using soft sided feeding bags, clean with vinegar (60 ml or 1/4 cup) and water (180 ml or 3/4 cup) instead of dish detergent. 10
Notes 11
Notes 12
Looking for more health information? Contact your local public library for books, videos, magazine articles and online health information. For a list of public libraries in Nova Scotia go to HTTP://publiclibraries.ns.ca Capital Health promotes a smoke-free and scent-free environment. Please do not use perfumed products. Thank you! Capital Health, Nova Scotia www.cdha.nshealth.ca Prepared by: Patient and Family Learning Centre, Capital Health Designed and Printed by: Capital Health Audio Visual and Printing Departments WI85-1384 Created Apr. 2011 The information in this pamphlet is to be updated every 3 years. The information in this brochure is provided for information and education purposes only. The information is not intended to be and does not constitute healthcare or medical advice. If you have any questions, please ask your healthcare provider.