Feeding Attachment Devices

Care of residents with feeding gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes presents a special challenge in extended care. Increasing numbers of elderly persons have feeding tubes placed in outpatient settings. Enterostomies are created to establish an opening between the stomach or jejunum and the abdomen to provide nutrition to residents who are unable to swallow or tolerate oral feedings.|1~ Candidates for feeding tubes are often malnourished and frail, adding to their demands for care, and are at high risk for infection and skin breakdown.

Extended care nurses are faced with dealing with a variety of tubes in different shapes and sizes. Additionally, feeding enterostomies may be temporary or permanent, and may be placed surgically or endoscopically into the stomach or small bowel. Understanding the differences in tube placement and function is essential to provide safe care and to prevent potentially serious consequences from occurring. Management of residents with feeding tubes requires knowledge of basic principles and proactive nursing interventions.  Medical Supply