Patients who have trouble swallowing or cannot take food or medication by mouth are sometimes given feeding tubes.  A feeding tube is inserted through the skin in the abdomen and into the stomach.

A liquid food is given to patients through the tube.  There are several ways to give the liquid food, and there are several kinds of prescribed foods.  Your doctor will have prescribed a liquid food and the amount to be given at each feeding that provides the necessary nutrition for you.

General Care

• Check the skin daily where the tube enters the stomach for redness, irritation, drainage, or tenderness.
• Wash your hands before handling the tubing.
• Clean around the tube daily with soap and water and dry well.
• Change the dressing around the tube entry site daily if your doctor or nurse instructed you to do so.
• Call your Hospice nurse if:
  • You notice redness, drainage, or tenderness at the tube entry site.
  • The patient complains of pain or nausea, vomits, or has diarrhea or constipation.
  • The tube falls out.

Special Instructions:

Please feel free to contact your Suburban Hospice, Inc., 833-888-7222 for questions or concerns you may have about feeding tubes.  We wish to be responsive to your needs and concerns.