Welcome to The National University Hospital : PEG, or Gastrostomy

Gastrointestinal

Orthopaedic

Pain

Post Operative Pain Control

PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy)
Or Gastrostomy

Feeding Through The Gastrostomy Tube

Patients may perform the feeding themselves, or have someone to assist them.

Preparation

The following items are required for feeding.

	50ml catheter-tip syringe.
	A cup of lukewarm water for flushing.
	Feeds in a can, or jug.
	Hypoallergenic tape.
	Tissues.

Feeding requirements

Follow these steps for feeding

a)	Raise the head of the bed or sit up. An upright position prevents regurgitation.
b)	Wash your hands.

c)	Straighten out the feeding tube.
d)	Pinch tube and open the stopper. Pinching the tube prevents excess air entering the stomach when the stopper is removed.

e)	Connect syringe to tube.

f)	Pour 20mls of lukewarm water into the syringe to check for blockage - the water must flow smoothly. This will also moisten the tube so that feeds will not stick.
g)	Tilt syringe slightly to let air escape if necessary.
h)	Fill syringe with feed.

i)	Hold syringe upright to let feed flow into the stomach slowly, by gravity. Raising or lowering the syringe will cause the flow to go faster and slower respectively. It is not advisable to have a fast flow as this will distend the stomach quickly and may cause discomfort.

j)	After feeding, run 30 - 60mls. lukewarm water through the tube to flush it clear.
k)	Pinch tube and disconnect syringe from tube.
l)	Close the stopper.
m)	Tape tube to abdomen.

Medications

Medicine can sometimes stick to the inside of the tube. If it is allowed to dry and harden, the tube gets blocked. Avoid this with the following: -

	Choose liquid form of medicine if possible.
	Finely crush tablets and dissolve them completely in lukewarm water.
	Do not mix different types of medicine together. Give each type of medicine separately, flushing 30mls lukewarm water between each medicine.

	What Is PEG?
	Feeding Through The Gastrostomy Tube
	Caring For The Gastrostomy