Clogged feeding tubes

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Specializes in Pediatric home care, assisted living.

Does anyone have any tips on how to clear clogged feeding tubes? Almost everytime I come on the floor the feeding tubes are clogged!! Any easy to unclog them?

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Specializes in LTC.

I use a irrigation syringe with plunger (Not bulb). and draw up 50ccs of warm water into the syringe..plug it in and push down. Hasn't failed yet.

One of these- http://lslhealthcare.com/images/myimages/119-sml.JPG

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Very warm water is good, as noted. Try cola, or ginger ale. Remind everyone that plain water should be used as the last flush, every time.

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Specializes in PeriOperative.

Warm diet coke, as a last resort. Diet is more acidic than regular coke.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Coke works better than Pepsi. And I've never had Diet Coke actually work at all, so I'm surprised to see that it supposedly works better than Coke. I must be doing it wrong.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

Do the patients have standing orders how often and how much they should be flushed with free water? Even when the water goes down slow, I usually use cola or ginger ale to help open the tube.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.
Coke works better than Pepsi. And I've never had Diet Coke actually work at all, so I'm surprised to see that it supposedly works better than Coke. I must be doing it wrong.

Years ago, when my dad use to work on cars. He used Coke to clean off the battery. Now today, he dont drink Coke. He states Coke is not a strong as it use to be.

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Does anyone have any tips on how to clear clogged feeding tubes? Almost everytime I come on the floor the feeding tubes are clogged!! Any easy to unclog them?

Most likely due to people not flushing properly after meds or especially after feedings. Good tips here. You can also try only air 10ccs while pulling gently back and forth on the plunger. There is also something called clog zapper - has to be ordered by the MD - if you have one that is always plugged. We've also used cranberry juice as a flush for those stubborn g-tubes. I believe that is also a md order type thing.

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

I have had some really bad ones a few times where coke and/or warm water didn't work.

Some of my coworkers will take the stylet to the tube. This is not recommended due to the risk of perforation but it does work. I won't do it, though.

Some will use bicarb IV amps -- draw it up and try to flush it though. I haven't seen any better success with this than coke.

The best thing I have found is pancrelipase capsules + bicarb tablet. Our pharmacist knows this works and will get an order for us to do it. We take two capsules, open them up, crush the bicarb, and mix with warm water. You need to wait 15-20 minutes to get the pancrelipase to dissolve. Then, flush it through. It works in about two seconds.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTAC, Critical Care.

I'm gonna say Coke since I don't already see it mentioned:D

Seriously though, Diet Coke. Be careful... I have seen a nurse take a coke/feeding bath before...

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Specializes in LTC.
Do the patients have standing orders how often and how much they should be flushed with free water? Even when the water goes down slow, I usually use cola or ginger ale to help open the tube.

The feeding pumps we use automatically flush the tube with 100ml per hour for example. But its not getting that good forceful flush to get all the crud from the formula off like a manual flush does.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

use a small syringe (10cc) filled with most any liquid. i will plunge the syringe until you break loose the clog. be careful though, if you do not have a good seal, you will spray yourself or your patient with liquid grossness.

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