Nasogastric Tube Feeding ML4763 PDF
Nasogastric Tube Feeding ML4763 PDF
Nasogastric Tube Feeding ML4763 PDF
However, these methods may not be suitable in your case. Your doctor/ Nutrition nurse will
assess you and offer the most suitable method of providing your body with the nutrition that
it needs.
Page 1
Nasogastric tube feeding
Information and advice for patients
Personal care
For your own personal comfort and hygiene it is important that you follow this simple
routine daily. It will also help to prevent infection.
1. Always wash your hands before and after handling your tube and feeding equipment.
2. Check your nose and mouth for redness, dry or cracked skin or soreness.
3. Lubricate the skin around your nose with a suitable moisturising cream e.g. E45 to help
prevent irritation and dry skin.
4. Ensure tapes and dressings are clean, secure and stick to the skin. If you are unable to
change tapes yourself, contact your nurse for help.
Oral hygiene
Mouth care is still very important to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Plaque and tartar can
build up very quickly and it is important to carry out daily dental care.
Brush your teeth, gums and tongue twice daily using a soft small headed toothbrush. If you
wear dentures they still need to be removed from the mouth and cleaned daily. Lips can be
moistened using a Vaseline lip cream or balm. Consult your GP, dietitian or nurse if you have
bleeding or any other mouth problems for advice.
Page 3
Nasogastric tube feeding
Information and advice for patients
Other specialist team members, such as a nutrition nurse may also be involved in your care
depending on your condition.
Medication
Where possible all medications should be in liquid form. If not please consult your doctor or
pharmacist for advice.
Always flush your tube before and after medication with 50mls water as this will help
prevent your tube from blocking.
Flush the tube with 10mls water between different medicines. You are advised to take each
medicine separately rather than mixing them together. This also helps to stop the tube from
blocking.
To treat a blockage
1. Try flushing with 50mls warm water (40-50 degrees centigrade)
If unsuccessful
2. Try flushing with 50mls water.
If this fails
4. Do not force fluid through the tube. Contact your Nutrition
Nurse or dietitian as you may need your tube replaced.
Your ward nurse will start training you and your carers/ relatives on how to set up the feeds,
operate the pump, flush the tube etc before you leave hospital. You will also receive training
from the home enteral feeding company nurse. The community nutrition nurse and district
nurses will also be informed that you are being discharged with NG tube feeding.
If your nasogastric tube comes out or you have any concerns after you have gone home
please contact your community nutrition nurse. Outside of working hours please contact the
districts nurses or if you are Nil by Mouth you will need to go to A&E. Page 5
Nasogastric tube feeding
Information and advice for patients
Feed Storage
Once opened feed should be stored in a fridge and any unused feed thrown away after 24
hours
Contact details
If you have any questions or concerns about NG tube feeding whilst in hospital please ask the
ward nurse to contact.
• specialist nutrition nurse
• dietitian
The ward staff can contact the relevant person for you using the extension numbers below:
Dietitians
Ext. 3521 (Sandwell hospital)
Ext. 4085 (City hospital)
On discharge
Nutrition Nurse Specialist (Community)
0121-612-2971 (Sandwell)
0121-446-1131 (Birmingham)
District Nurses
City Hospital and Birmingham Treatment Centre patients
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust (Single Point of Access)
Tel: 0300 555 1919
8.30am-6:00pm, Monday-Friday
Tel (Out of hours-After 6.00pm, Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays):
0300 555 1919
Page 6
Nasogastric tube feeding
Information and advice for patients
Homeward service
Tel: 0845 762 3603
This is for additional support if you are having problems with your NG tube.
Further information
For more information about our hospitals and services please see our websites
www.swbh.nhs.uk and www.swbhengage.com, follow us on Twitter @SWBHnhs and like us
on Facebook www.facebook.com/SWBHnhs.
If you would like to suggest any amendments or improvements to this leaflet please contact the
communications department on 0121 507 5495 or email: [email protected]