How often do you change feeding bag?
This information will help teach you how to use the gravity method to feed yourself and take your medications through your percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), gastrostomy tube (GT), or nasogastric tube (NGT). Show
About Tube FeedingTube feeding is when you get your nutrients through a feeding tube if you aren’t able to get enough through eating and drinking, or if you can’t swallow safely. Nutrients provide energy and help you heal. The gravity method is a type of feeding where formula flows out from your feeding bag and into your feeding tube by the force of gravity pulling the formula in a downward direction. For more information about your feeding tube, including how to manage side effects, read Tube Feeding Troubleshooting Guide. You may have a feeding tube with a legacy connector or an ENFit connector. In this resource, we’ll show images of both types of connectors. Back to topTube Feeding GuidelinesYour clinical dietitian nutritionist will talk with you about your daily nutrition and hydration goals. Follow their recommendations. In addition to your formula, be sure to give yourself the recommended water flushes listed above to meet your fluid needs. If you’re admitted to the hospital, bring your button adapter with you, if you have one. Back to topTube Feeding InstructionsFollow the steps in this section during your tube feeding. Read How to Prevent Aspiration before tube feeding to learn how to avoid having your formula go down your airway.
Important points
Taking Medications Through Your Feeding TubeAsk your healthcare provider if you can take your medications through your feeding tube. Most medications that you normally take by mouth can be taken through your feeding tube. Medications must be in liquid form or crushed into a powder to prevent your feeding tube from getting clogged. Many medications come in a liquid form. Ask your healthcare provider about liquid forms if you take pills, tablets, or capsules. Tablets or capsules that are enteric-coated, extended-release (XR), or slow-release (SR) can’t be taken through your feeding tube. If you take any medications in that form, ask your healthcare provider if you can get the medication in a different form. Don’t mix different medications together unless instructed by your healthcare provider. If you’re taking more than 1 medication, ask your healthcare provider if you can take any of them together. Write down your medication schedule and carry it with you. Update it when anything changes. That will make it easy for your family members or caregivers to know your medication schedule. Bring a copy of the schedule to your doctor visits. Your doctor will review your medications at each visit. Always flush your feeding tube with 60 mL of water before and after you take each medication. This will prevent clogging. Instructions for taking medications
If your medication is in tablet or pill form:
If your medication is a capsule:
Ordering SuppliesYour case manager will check with your insurance company about your insurance coverage. If your insurance covers tube feedings, we’ll refer you to a home care provider. They’ll supply you with formula and equipment. If your insurance doesn’t cover your formula or supplies, you can buy that brand or a generic substitute at a local pharmacy, grocery store, or online. Always reorder formula and equipment when you have at least 10 days of supplies at home so you never run out of formula. If you’re no longer having tube feedings, you can donate your leftover supplies. Contact the Oley Foundation by calling 518-262-5079 or visit their website at www.oley.org Back to topStoring Formula
When to Call Your Healthcare ProviderCall your healthcare provider if you:
Back to top Contact InformationIf you have any questions or concerns, call the Nutrition Service office at 212-639-6984 and ask for the outpatient APP. You can reach the office Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m., during weekend, and on holidays, call 212-639-2000 and ask for the gastrointestinal (GI) fellow on call. Back to topYou must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Tell us what you thinkTell us what you thinkYour feedback will help us improve the educational information we provide. Your care team cannot see anything you write on this feedback form. Please do not use it to ask about your care. If you have questions about your care, contact your healthcare provider. Survey Questions QuestionsYesSomewhatNo Was this information easy to understand? Yes Somewhat No What could we have explained better?
Leave this field blank If you have any questions, contact a member of your care team directly. If you're a patient at MSK and you need to reach a provider after 5 p.m., during the weekend, or on a holiday, call 212-639-2000. How often should feeding bags be rinsed?Once to twice per week, or more often if equipment remains visibly soiled: Good hand hygiene is always required in preparing feeds and cleaning equipment. Flush the feeding tube with 5 to 10 mL of clean water (sterile water if child <4 mos of age) Rinse the feeding bag and tubing with warm soapy water.
Can feeding bags be reused?And of course, they're reusable. So after your child has used a Sinchies pouch for a G-tube feed, you can simply wash them and reuse them later. They're perfect as reusable tube feeding bags.
How often should the feed giving set be changed?The feed and giving set should be changed every 4 hours. This is because there is an increased risk of contamination with micro-organisms (germs) when the feed needs to be mixed or poured into another container.
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