What To Expect From A Feeding Tube Insertion Procedure

When To Contact A Doctor

Most patients recover and adjust well to life with a feeding tube. However, there are cases in which patients need to contact a doctor about their feeding tube. All patients need to know when these times happen. Of course, one of the times that patients will need to contact a doctor is if their tube comes out. The doctor will need to reinsert the tube. When the feeding tube was first inserted, patients must keep an eye on the insertion site. They should contact their doctor if they see drainage around the insertion site after a few days. Patients also need to do this if they see any bleeding around the site as well. Other reasons to contact a doctor about a feeding tub include if the tube is blocked, patients have issues with the feeding formula, or if there are any signs of an infection. Infection symptoms include fever, as well as swelling and redness around the insertion site.

Tips For Caring For The Tube

The best tip for patients when they are caring for their feeding tube is to wash their hands thoroughly first. They should do so with soap and water for a minimum of twenty seconds. However, if this is not feasible, patients can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer instead. In both cases, their hands must be clean and dry before working with the tube. Another major tip for caring for a feeding tube is to prevent clogs. This is a common and significant problem for patients with a feeding tube. Thankfully, it is manageable. Patients should flush their feeding tube with water before and after they use it. Ideally, they should also flush the tube with water when they take medication and at least once on days that they do not use it too.