Helping to Prevent and Treat Tube Clogs and Blockages

HELPING TO PREVENT AND TREAT TUBE CLOGS AND BLOCKAGES SIGNS OF A CLOGGED IF THE FORMULA WILL NOT FEEDING TUBE RUN THROUGH THE GRAVITY • You have difÏculty pushing water through the BAG DURING A FEEDING tube using a water-filled syringe. • Make sure the bag is not empty. • You are unable to pull back formula from the • Check that the roller clamp is in the “up” or feeding tube using an empty syringe. “open” position. • The occlusion alarm on the feeding pump • Grasp the tubing at the bag and follow it to the continually sounds. insertion site to make sure that it is not twisted or kinked. TIPS AND Only use prescribed declogger or Do not push the plunger too hard Never put a wire or any other object into WARNINGS water to unclog your feeding tube. to force water into the tube. your feeding tube to try to fix a clog. INSTRUCTIONS FOR UNCLOGGING A FEEDING TUBE 1. Wash your hands with soap and water. 2. Fill a cup with warm water. 3. Place the tip of the syringe (30-mL or larger) into the cup and pull back the plunger to draw the water up into the syringe. Completely fill the syringe with warm water. 4. Insert the tip of the syringe into the feeding tube. 5. Push the plunger forward then pull back in a small motion to loosen the clog, then push the warm water through. This can be done several times as you are working to loosen the clog. Avoid forcing the water into the tube. 6. If the clog remains after step 5 and if recommended by your doctor, utilize a declogger or pancreatic enzyme kit. 7. If the clog remains after completing the above steps, please contact your doctor for further instructions.