Dwellness^™ • G-tube Care

G-tube Care

Dwellness^™ customization for:

Your Patient

Applied Medical Technology, Inc.

G-tube Balloon Checking

• Regularly do a visual check of the G-tube, especially as you feed your patient
• If the G-tube has excessive discoloration or other apparent problems, consult with the nurse
• If advised to do so, Change the G-tube…
• Regularly check the G-tube balloon with a Luer-slip syringe every two weeks
• Check the G-tube balloon every day by gently pulling on the G-tube
• Check the G-tube balloon if you see any abnormalities of the G-tube

• Use a Luer-slip syringe that is made for insertion into the G-tube balloon port
• Do not use a syringe that is intended for medications
• In preparation, bring out two clean Luer-slip syringe and fill one with fresh, filtered water

[NOTE: The Luer-slip syringes are kept in the medication cupboard in the hallway. They are in a plastic bag marked "GT only Luer-slip".]

1. Insert the empty Luer-slip syringe firmly into the balloon port
2. Slowly draw out all the water from the balloon
3. Check how much water there is in the Luer-slip syringe
• Note the number, so you can tell if there are any defects in the balloon
• Expect the 10mL of water to go down slightly in two weeks or so
• If the water has gone down dramatically, there may be a defect in the balloon
4. Dispose of the water from the balloon and replace with 10mL of fresh water
5. Thoroughly clean and air-dry the Luer-slip syringes — after several uses, throw them away

G-tube Venting

[NOTE: At this time, the G-tube we are using is made by Applied Medical Technology, Inc. It is a MiniONE Balloon Button, compatible with the Mic-KEY Feedset. The size at this time is 20F x 4.0cm. The size can change over time if needed. If the size changes, then this document will be updated.]
[NOTE: Regularly check the G-tube with a visual check and a tactile check, pulling or moving the G-tube to check the fit. Always check the G-tube before and after transfers from chairs or other seating.]

→ CAUTION: Before moving your patient out of any chair or seating, ALWAYS visually check the G-tube to make sure you haven’t forgotten to remove the extension. It’s easy to forget, and the G-tube will actually pull out of your patient's gut if the extension gets snagged as you remove your patient from a chair. ←

• The most common reason your patient chews on hands is discomfort in the gut
• Other signs of discomfort can indicate too much air in the stomach
• Venting
1. Attach the bolus extension
2. Remove the plunger from a 60mL bolus tip syringe
3. Attach the bolus tip syringe to the extension
4. Hold the opening upright and well above the level of the stomach
5. Cover the opening of the syringe to avoid spraying
6. Release the extension clip and watch for gas bubbles
7. When the bubbles stop, clip the extension and remove the syringe

G-tube Changing

[NOTE: At this time, the G-tube we are using is made by Applied Medical Technology, Inc. It is a MiniONE Balloon Button, compatible with the Mic-KEY Feedset. The size at this time is 20F x 4.0cm. The size can change over time if needed. If the size changes, then this document will be updated.]

• Regularly check the G-tube
• Visual check
• Tactile check — pull or move the G-tube to check the fit
• Always check the G-tube before and after transfers from chairs or other seating

→ CAUTION: Before moving your patient out of any chair or seating, ALWAYS visually check the G-tube to make sure you haven’t forgotten to remove the extension. It’s easy to forget, and the G-tube will actually pull out of your patient's gut if the extension gets snagged as you remove your patient from a chair. ←

• Check the G-tube balloon if you see any abnormalities of the G-tube

[NOTE: Change the G-tube approximately every six weeks. Perform visual and tactile checks regularly, and be aware of any problems with G-tube functions. If the G-tube has any serious problems, contact the nurse for a possible change ahead of schedule.]

• Do not change the G-tube when your patient's stomach is full — change it first thing in the morning when your patient's stomach is empty
• Use a Luer-slip syringe that is made for insertion into the G-tube balloon port
• Do not use a syringe that is intended for medications
• Preparation
1. Spread a clean kitchen towel on the table
2. Bring out one clean Luer-slip syringe and fill with filtered water from a clean glass
3. Open the Mini ONE box on the towel and peel back the protective plastic
4. Place a clean washcloth just below the G-tube site to absorb any leakage
5. From the plastic tray lay out the 4x4 gauze and place the G-tube on it
6. Bring out the lubricant and use all of it to coat the G-tube thoroughly
• Exchanging G-tubes
1. Using the empty Luer-slip syringe provided in the G-tube package, insert its tip firmly into the balloon port
2. Slowly draw out all the water from the balloon and set aside
3. Hold the new G-tube in one hand and gently draw out the old one
4. Immediately guide the new G-tube into the stoma — move swiftly but gently
5. Hold the new G-tube in place and reach for the Luer-slip syringe with fresh water
6. Insert the tip and dispense all of the water into the balloon port
7. Pull gently on the G-tube and move it to make sure it’s fitting properly
8. Check that the passage is clear, using the extension and bolus syringe included