Peg Feeding Tube Care: Flushing

With PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy) tube feeding, you need to keep the tube from getting clogged by flushing it with warm water after each feeding and before and after giving any medications.

For Continuous Feeding:

Flush the feeding tube with warm water and a clean syringe before the first daily feeding, after the last daily feeding, and other times as instructed. Follow the steps below.

1. Fill a clean bowl with warm water.
2. Put the tip of the syringe in the water.
3. Draw up 50 cc of water.
4. Turn off the pump.
5. Close the clamp on the feeding bag tubing.
6. Remove the tubing from the port.
7. Put the tip of the syringe in the feeding port.
8. Push the plunger down.
9. Let the water run through the feeding tube.
10. Start the feeding or close the cap on the feeding port. Then tape the tube to the skin with medical tape.

For Bolus Feeding:

You may be told to flush the feeding tube before and after each feeding, or just after feedings. Use a clean syringe and warm water. Follow the steps below.

1. Fill a clean bowl with warm water.
2. Put the tip of the syringe in the water.
3. Draw up 50 cc of water.
4. Open the cap on the feeding port.
5. Put the tip of the syringe in the feeding port.
6. Push down on the plunger. Let the water runthrough the tube.
7. Close the cap.
8. Tape the tube to the skin with medical tape.