There are several ways to feed through your Entuit Gastrostomy BR Balloon Retention Feeding Tube. Your doctor will decide which feeding method is right for you. These are the most common methods of feeding:
To do a bolus feeding, you use a large volume syringe to put liquid food into your feeding tube at mealtimes. If you need to increase or decrease the flow, remove the plunger and raise or lower the large volume syringe for flow control.
To do a gravity feeding, you use a bag of liquid food that hangs on a hook or pole. The bag is connected to the feeding tube. Gravity causes the liquid food to flow into the feeding tube. You can tighten or loosen the clamp to control how fast the liquid food flows into your feeding tube.
To do a pump feeding, you put liquid food into a container (usually a bag). A pump pushes the liquid food into the feeding tube.
Note: Any of these feeding methods can be used with your Entuit BR feeding tube, but please speak to your doctor about which feeding method is best for you.
Everyone has their own feeding routine. Be sure to plan your feeding routine with your doctor.
Bolus feedings can happen at the same time as regularly scheduled mealtimes, or, more often, throughout the day. Continuous feeding can happen throughout the entire day or night, including during your normal daily routine.
Note: Always use the feeding method and schedule that your doctor recommends.
You can feed wherever you feel most comfortable and relaxed.
With your head at a 30° angle or more, choose one of these positions:
Note: Do not lie down while feeding or within one hour after feeding, as you may upset your stomach or vomit.
Liquid food is food in liquid form that can be taken in through your feeding tube. There are three types of liquid food:
Note: Do not put solid or thick food through your feeding tube. Solid or thick food can clog or damage the tube. Be sure to record the type of liquid food you should use when you receive your feeding tube from your doctor. Don’t change your liquid food or feeding schedule without talking to your doctor first.
After your doctor places your Entuit BR feeding tube, you will need a few devices that will help you use your feeding tube.
If your doctor has prescribed bolus feeding, you’ll need a large volume syringe. If your doctor has prescribed continuous feeding, you’ll need a continuous feeding set and a feeding pump. If your doctor has prescribed gravity feeding, you’ll need a gravity feeding set.
The following guidelines are recommended by the Oley Foundation. For more information, visit www.oley.org.
Follow these general guidelines to ensure a safe and healthy feeding:
Note: If your feeding tube is out of place, do not feed. Call your doctor right away.
Stop feeding and call your doctor if you experience weakness, cramping, dizziness, heavy sweating, or a rapid heartbeat.
The feeding port is the opening in your feeding tube where you put liquid food. Before and after each feeding, use a catheter-tipped syringe that is filled with 30–50 mL of water to flush the feeding tube through the feeding port (unless your doctor tells you otherwise).
Note: Always be sure to use the correct port for feeding. If you put liquid food into the balloon port, your balloon may break, or your feeding tube may fail.
Use these supplies for bolus (syringe) feeding:
Use these supplies for continuous feeding:
Most medicine that can be taken through your mouth can be taken through your Entuit BR feeding tube as long as the medicine is in liquid form. Always follow the instructions that were included with your medicine, and follow any special instructions that your doctor or pharmacist gives you.
Note: You should only take medicine through your feeding tube if your doctor has instructed you to do so, and you should follow your doctor’s instructions. Check with your doctor if you have questions about your medicine at any time.
Note: Solid medicine may be crushed into a fine powder and dissolved with water before being inserted. Do not crush medication that has an enteric (polymer) coating or attempt to mix medication with feeding formula. Check with your doctor before crushing your medicine.
If you take multiple medicines, take each medicine separately. After you take each medicine, flush your feeding tube with the amount of warm water that your doctor recommends.
Use these supplies when taking medicine through your feeding tube:
Your doctor may tell you to check your stomach for leftover liquid food before each feeding to make sure that your stomach is getting rid of food from your previous feedings.
Use these supplies to check for leftover liquid food:
Follow these steps to check for leftover liquid food:
Note: Always follow your doctor’s instructions when you check for leftover liquid food, and call your doctor if you see an unusual amount of liquid food. If the amount of liquid food is too great, your stomach may have problems. Your doctor may also give you special instructions to not use your feeding tube if you collect a certain amount of stomach fluid. Record your doctor’s instructions when you receive your feeding tube, and refer to them as needed.
Clean and disinfect your stoma once a day. Do not routinely use antimicrobial ointments on or around your stoma. Follow your doctor’s instructions for a cleaning routine.
Flushing your feeding tube regularly with water will help prevent clogs and will keep your tube clean for your regular feedings. Regular flushing can also make your feeding tube last longer and may prevent other problems.
Store any unused liquid food in a clean, sealed container according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Read and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions that come with your liquid food.
Even though you are not usually eating with your mouth, you still need to take care of your teeth and gums to prevent bacteria and germs from building up.
You may get an upset stomach if too much liquid food is taken in or if you feed too quickly. Do not feed if your stomach is upset.
You may accidentally get liquid food in your lungs. Liquid food can get into your lungs if you burp up small amounts of liquid food, or if you vomit.
Having a feeding tube can be a big change, but you can still do most of the things that you did before you got your feeding tube.
You can walk and exercise regularly. Be sure to notify your doctor before you make any big changes to your lifestyle or your exercise routine.
For a short time after you get your first feeding tube, your doctor may ask you to limit bathing, swimming, and showering. In many cases, these limitations are temporary. Ask your doctor about the precautions that you need to take when bathing.
After your doctor places your first feeding tube, you may have a dressing over it. Be sure to keep the dressing dry by covering it in a watertight wrap before you bathe.
Your doctor will help advise you on what your diet should be. Pay attention to any changes to your diet and weight. If you see changes, tell your doctor. Your doctor may recommend that you change your feeding plan.
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