|
Equipment and Supplies
Equipment and Supplies
Before your child is discharged from the hospital, you should know how you will be supplied with equipment such as pumps and feeding sets. Make sure you are comfortable with all equipment before you go home and have someone to contact if there are problems. It is also important to have extra supplies for emergencies. If your child has a G-tube, you should always have an extra tube, in case it falls out. Most parents can change their child's button, but if you cannot and have to go to the nearest hospital, do not count on them having your child's right size in stock. The site can close quickly and the tube needs to be replaced ASAP. NG tubes get pulled out frequently by children, so keep a good supply on hand.
Pumps
There are many different feeding pumps. If your child will be tube fed for any length of time, a portable pump will make life a lot easier. Some of the smaller ones are about the size of your hand and can fit in a small backpack that a child can wear and walk around with. Sometimes you need to request a portable pump when you are working with a home care agency.
Feeding Sets
The feeding sets you need will be determined by the type of pump you have. They usually come in 500cc and 1000cc size bags. Some have ice pouches which are helpful for continuous feeds during the summer months. In the hospital, the policy is to change the bag every 24 hours - homecare rules are different. Your doctor or homecare nurse will give you guidelines for reusing and washing the bags, and depending on who you talk to, you may get different guidelines. Generally, bags can be used for several days if washed between feedings. You can use a mild detergent, letting the hot, soapy water run through the bag and then rinsing well. The bags are very expensive and if you are paying out of pocket for supplies, you will want to get the most use out of your bags. If insurance is paying for your equipment, most will supply one bag per day. Some elemental formula leaves a residue in the tube. Soaking in cola (Coke) can help dissolve the residue.
Extension Tubing
If your child has a button (Mic-key, Bard, Genie), you will have an extension tube that connects the button to the feeding set. This too can be cleaned and re-used. Soak it in warm soapy water and rinse after each use. Soaking in cola (Coke) will help get the built up residue out. Extension tubes come in different lengths to meet your needs. If your child requires medication to be administered through the tube, make sure you are given extension tubing with a medication port - it will make life a lot easier. You will be able to administer medication and flush the tube with a small syringe and will not have to carry around a large catheter-tip syringe all the time.
Written by: Sam's Mom, Amanda W.
Read more about Reflux Information:
Tube Feeding Your Child,
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Tube Feeding
»View all articles«
Other Links
,
|
|
