If you are a caregiver for someone who has a Gastrostomy Tube there are some basic duties and tasks that need to be performed. On this page, you can learn how to give a bolus feeding or water flush with a G-Tube.
Maintain Standard Precaution for G-Tube Related Tasks
Before beginning any G-Tube related tasks, make sure to do at least one of the following:
- Wear gloves
- Wash hands for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitizer and rub until dry
Step 1 - Gather Supplies
- Normal saline or tap water
- 10 mL syringe
- 60 mL syringe
- G-Tube extension tubing
- Food
- Alcohol wipes
Step 2 - Prime the Extension Tubing Line
- Clean the hub with an alcohol wipe
- Fill the 10 mL syringe with saline or tap water
- Close the clamp of the extension tubing and attach the syringe to the port
- Unclamp the line
- Place the end of the tubing over a basin or sink
- Push the saline or tap water through the tubing until there is no air in the line
- Reclamp the tubing
- Detach the syringe from the tubing
Step 3 - Feeding Process
- Remove the plunger and cap from the 60 mL syringe
- Open the cap of the extension tubing and clean the hub
- Attach the 60 mL syringe to the port
- Attach the extension tubing to the MIC-KEY
- Add 10-20 mLs of food (or water when doing a water flush) at a time
- Unclamp and allow gravity to push the food through the tubing
- When finished, clamp the tubing
- Detach the syringe from the tubing and the tubing from the MIC-KEY
- Flush your line in a basin following the same steps from step 2
Additional Information
- It can take 15-20 minutes to deliver about 8oz of food. Water flushes will go faster
- The higher you hold the tubing/syringe, the faster the food will flow.
- The lower you hold the tubing/syringe, the slower the food will flow
- If you experience retching or gagging:
- Slow or stop the feed completely
- Make sure your baby or infant is sitting up, if possible, or is at a 45 degree angle if in their crib
