Peg tube water sterile vs non-sterile

[soontobeRN086]

In pediatrics when giving medications through a G tube you generally use sterile water. Yet when giving adult med-surg or critical care patients medications through peg tubes I have been told that sterile water is not necessary and that tap water can be used. This grosses me out. I definitely would not drink the tap water from several hospitals I have had clinicals in, yet this is what we are putting into their stomaches... gross

[rachelgeorgina]

I work in pediatric long term care. We flush and give bolus with plain old tap water. People who aren't peg fed and eat orally drink tap water and survive. Patients who are PEG fed are simply bypassing the first route processes for eating. It all ends up in the same place, doesn't it? It shoudn't make a difference, unless there are special circumstances.