Care of a gastrostomy tube

Care of a gastrostomy tube takes special skill. Learning all you can about tube feeding and gastrostomy tubes can help you better care for someone who requires tube feeding.

Tips for gastrostomy tube feeding

Ask a trained nurse the following questions to help you care for a gastrostomy tube:
 

•     How do I clean the tube site?    
    
•     What signs indicate a blocked gastrostomy tube?
   
•     What do I do if the gastrostomy tube becomes blocked?
   
•      What do I do if the gastrostomy tube falls out?
   
•      What signs indicate infection?
   
•     How can the tube be positioned under clothing?
   
•      How do I prepare tube feeding formula?
   
•      How and when should the feeding formula be administered?

•      How can I change my feeding regime to suit my routine?
   
•     When is the tube due to be replaced? What type and size is the tube?