A step-by-step guide to checking, securing and cleaning your g-tube
Daily care and maintenance of your gastrostomy site and G-tube care are important parts of your tube feeding routine. Keeping the gastrostomy site clean and dry helps to guard against skin irritation and infections. Cleaning the tube will help it last longer.
STEP 1 G-tube care: How to check the gastrostomy site
Things to look for:
- Skin redness (greater than 1/2 inch) around the tube
- Drainage or leaking
- Discomfort or pain around the tube*
*Increased redness, drainage or pain can mean the tube or internal or external bolsters are incorrectly positioned or secured. It may also mean an infection. This situation may require medical attention.
STEP 2 G-tube care: How to secure the g-tube
Tuck the tube gently into clothing. A tube that is left free to hang will pull on the gastrostomy tract. Over time this can injure the tract and the inside of the stomach.
Use tape on the tube, then pin through the tape tab to the inside of clothing.
Use paper, micropore or other tape that is not “gummy” to tape the tube to the skin or to a skin barrier dressing. (White adhesive tape will leave a sticky material on the tube and skin, which is harder to remove and may cause skin irritation).
STEP 3 G-tube care: Cleaning the gastrostomy site
You may need a clean wash cloth, cotton balls, cotton tip swab, mild soap, and warm water.
- Wash hands well before and after cleaning the gastrostomy site.
- If dressings are used around the tube to cover the skin, these must be removed and discarded first.
Note: Sometimes a dressing is used around a gastrostomy tube for a few days after the tube is placed. After this, a dressing is not routinely needed. Should your tube require the use of a dressing, ask your doctor or nurse how to place dressing correctly.
- Use half of a clean wash cloth or cotton balls to wash the skin around the tube with mild soap and warm water at least once daily. Clean anytime there is leakage around the tube. To avoid skin irritation and breakdown, the skin must be kept clean and dry.
- Gently turn and rotate the external bolster to reach all areas of the skin. Be careful not to pull too hard on the tube and external bolster. This can harm the inside of the stomach.
- Clean the tube with soap and water at this time also. A cotton tip swab may be used for hard-to-reach areas.
- Rinse skin, then dry well with the other half of the clean wash cloth.
- Starting on (date) you may clean the gastrostomy site during your regular bath or shower.
Note: For the first 4-6 weeks after placement of a new PEG, bath water should not be so deep that the tube is under the water. Shower water should fall on your back only. For a balloon, low profile, or older PEG tube you can take a bath or shower as you normally do.
DISCLAIMER: This information is designed for customer use only and does not represent the advice of a medical health professional. Please contact your doctor for explicit advice on your prescription and/or feeding program.
For more helpful tips and resources about G-tube care:
I had a Gtube placed in my abdomen 2 weeks ago I still have the stitches the sight is cleaned often I want to remove the stitches. it is uncomfortable.
can you offer any advise?
how can i wrap up the hose to the gtube to bath him without it getting wet?
Do you apply the g-tube dressing under the bumper or over the bumper. I apply the dressing over the bumper to keep it secure, other nurses place the dressing under the bumper. Which is the correct way
After a Gastrostomy.tube is established, How often should the tube be changed
how often should you change the 60cc syringe used for bolus feedings? Also how often should the tube connector be changed.
What is the recommended time frame for use & reuse for daily irrigation kit of a G-Tube. Or how often should the syringe & piston be changed in a residential facility ? The irrigation supplies are only being used on 1 person.
Thank you,
Mary B. RN BSN
How do I clean the first port on the g tube?
Hi my patient g tube 6days after insertion around the g tube red I clean every day his g tube but stil red what can I do to make dheal his wound?thanks
Thanks for advice.,I just want to ask again what is the formula feeding of g tube?its same in ngt tube also?? Or different thanks
My g tube is clogged What can I use other than water to clean and unstop tube?
Hi my dad has had a G-tube in his stomach for about a month now and he is eating by mouth the doctor recomended keeping it in for a few weeks after eating regular food by mouth. We are taking care of it at home but recently noticed one side of the spot where the tube is in looks red and a little bit bloody. But the other side is fine not red and looks normal. We clean it everyday with water. Is this something we should be alarmed about?
Hi can the first connecter which is the y-shaped where the syringe is fixed be removed for washing because it seems to be detachable.
Dear sir my grandfather has been peg inserted 15 days over there is a formation of pus takes place wt are the precautions i have to take care please tell me sir
I am fed TPN through my PICC line but have a G-TUBE for meds & fluids I want to take. My skin around the stoma is open therefore anything that drains out my G-TUBE causes excruciating burning pain. The fluid constantly leaks around the tube. I have been using Desitin and Geer’s ointment. What would work better to heal this open area? I am scheduled to have G-TUBE replaced next week.
How do you keep the inside the j peg from turning a lite brown ?
If feeding tube has been in for 7 months and has not been used for a couple months, should it be removed? It is black inside and patient has had some UTI’s. Is this related? Thanks.
I got a gtube 3 months ago everything was a ok til 2 weeks ago it now i have a burning sensation doesnt matter if im moving or not sometimes quite painful-any ideas? Thanks