Caring for a loved one who requires a feeding tube can come with challenges. Families want to know if they are cleaning the tube right, if the feeding schedule is right, and if they are doing everything they can to make their loved one comfortable.
Learning how to care for a feeding tube is made easier by working with the appropriate healthcare professionals, practicing routine care, and asking for help when needed. Following these steps can give families and caregivers the confidence they need to care for a loved one at home.Love one home healthcare provides a variety of home healthcare services including personal care, skilled care, and pediatric care, all based on individual needs and availability of services.
This guide covers feeding tube basics, hygiene, feeding safety, potential complications, and ways for families to make caregiving easier.
What Is a Feeding Tube?
A feeding tube is a medical device that helps provide nutrition and fluids when a person cannot swallow enough food or liquid to meet nutritional needs or when food or liquids are contraindicated. The delivery of nutrients directly into the stomach or intestines is referred to as enteral nutrition.
A feeding tube may be recommended for a child or an adult with swallowing difficulties, neurological conditions, or gastrointestinal disorders, among other indications.
The method of insertion and the healthcare professional who oversees the care determine the instructions for tube care.
Types of Feeding Tubes
Nasogastric (NG) tube
The tube is inserted through the nose and into the stomach.
Gastrostomy (G-tube)
This tube is placed directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)
A gastrostomy tube that is inserted using an endoscope.
How to Care for a Feeding Tube
General guidelines for feeding tube care can be used as a reference, but each person’s care plan should be determined by a healthcare professional. The instructions should cover the type of tube, the products to be used, and any other concerns. The following are some basic instructions that can be included in a care plan:
1. Washing Hands
Washing hands is an important precaution to prevent infection. Wash hands with soap and water before and after providing care or handling the feeding tube.
2. Cleaning the Feeding Tube
Gastrostomy and other abdominal feeding tubes have external sites that need to be kept clean.
Cleaning procedures may vary depending on the stage of healing, the type of tube, and the products used. General instructions include the following:
3. Feeding Schedule or Instructions
A feeding schedule may include a plan for the formula, the rate or volume of the feeding, the frequency, and the mode of administration.Depending on the individual case, the feeding may be administered in divided doses by gravity or with the use of a feeding pump.
If a feeding session is missed or interrupted, contact a healthcare professional for further instructions.
4. Flushing of the Feeding Tube
Flushing the feeding tube may be necessary to keep it patent and to deliver the formula or medication. The instructions for flushing depend on the individual and the type of tube. In some cases, a normal saline solution may be used, while in others, a sterile water solution may be used.
The frequency, solution, and method of flushing should be determined by a healthcare professional. In addition, caregivers should be instructed on how to care for the ports on the feeding tube.
Never attempt to unclog a feeding tube if it has become obstructed. Doing so may cause the tube to break or may lead to an intestinal blockage. Contact a healthcare professional for guidance in such a situation.
5. Cleaning and Use of Feeding Equipment
The equipment used for a feeding tube, including the bag and any associated tubing, should be handled with care and should be kept in a clean location.
Equipment should be cleaned and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines and the instructions from a healthcare professional.
How to Position a Person With a Feeding Tube
Tube feedings may require the person to be positioned upright to decrease the risk of reflux or aspiration of the feeding. Most healthcare professionals recommend keeping the person upright during and for one hour after the feeding.
However, the instructions may vary, depending on the situation. It is best to receive specific instructions related to a person’s care.
In some cases, it may be necessary to use a special feeding chair. Pillows may be used to support the person in certain positions. In all cases, the healthcare professional should be consulted regarding positioning during sleep and other activities. Persons who are being fed into the small intestine, including those with J-tubes and GJ-tubes, may have different position requirements. Never use positioning guidelines that apply to one type of feeding tube or situation if another type of feeding tube is being used, unless the guidelines have been approved by a healthcare professional.
Complications of Feeding Tubes
It is important to watch for signs of a complication following a feeding tube procedure.
Signs of an Infection
Redness, swelling, or drainage from the site
Warmth in the area around the site
A fever or other flu-like symptoms
Signs of a Malfunctioning Tube
Malfunctioning tubes need to be addressed because they can cause the feeding to be delivered incorrectly or to stop working altogether.
Signs of a Feeding Intolerance
Intolerance to a feeding can develop, causing the person to experience nausea and vomiting or to feel bloated or uncomfortable.
In most cases, these symptoms are temporary and can be managed. However, if they continue or if the person feels that something is seriously wrong, care should be sought from a healthcare professional.
It is possible that the symptoms are caused by something other than the feeding or by the feeding being incorrectly placed.
Keep a healthcare professional informed of any changes or concerns. If severe pain or discomfort occurs, emergency medical care may be necessary.
How to Care for a Feeding Tube in Children
A child with a feeding tube requires special consideration. Parents may have many questions about how to provide care for their child.
They may also be concerned about the discomfort that the child may be experiencing. Because a feeding tube procedure can have several implications for the child, specific instructions should be provided by a healthcare professional.
The following are some general guidelines for providing care to a child with a feeding tube:
The child’s needs will dictate the type of formula, feeding schedule, and rate of feeding. A healthcare professional determines the child’s individual nutritional needs.
A Family’s Story: Learning to Feel Comfortable With a Feeding Tube
A fictional example can be used to illustrate a family’s experience with learning to care for a person with a feeding tube. The parents of a child who had been discharged from the hospital were quite concerned about the care that they would have to provide for their child. They did not know what to expect or how to address the various issues that they would encounter. As a result, they contacted the child’s healthcare professionals to receive instructions and to review the care plan.
What to Do When a Feeding Tube Comes Out
In most cases, it is not advisable to attempt to reinsert a feeding tube that has come out, unless you have been instructed to do so. When a feeding tube has been displaced or removed, the caregivers should contact a healthcare professional for further instructions. Emergency care may be necessary if the person has other symptoms, such as abdominal pain or bleeding.
How Love One Home Healthcare Can Help
At Love One Home Healthcare, we recognize that home healthcare services need to be personalized and that every person has unique needs and concerns.
We can provide a variety of home healthcare services, including personal care, skilled care, and pediatric care. We encourage families to work with us and to ask any questions they may have regarding the care of their loved one.
Our home healthcare services include the following:
Personal care
Skilled care
- Pediatric care
Companion services
- Live-in care
Home infusion therapy service
Physical and speech therapy
Care Provided Through Love One Home Healthcare
Communication and cooperation are at the heart of our care model.
We can work with families who have complex needs. The care provided should be individualized and should be based on the recommendations of the patient’s healthcare professionals. Communication with families is an important part of our care philosophy. This enables us to address concerns, answer questions, and provide the best care possible.
In addition, we recognize that personal care and patient-centered care are essential.
Because of this, we focus on the importance of the patient’s feelings and concerns. We encourage open communication and cooperation with families and patients. Care coordination and communication with appropriate and authorized healthcare professionals are also important. Families should be aware that not all home healthcare agencies can provide the care for patients with feeding tubes. Authorization, availability, and other factors can affect the type of care that may be provided.
Common Questions About Feeding Tubes
1. How often should a feeding tube be cleaned?
The frequency and method of cleaning depend on the type of tube, the location of the tube, and the healthcare provider’s instructions. In general, it is best to follow the instructions for cleaning the external site and the equipment.