How to Clean ENFit Extension Sets
Enteral misconnections occur when enteral feeding tubes or extension sets are accidentally connected to non-enteral tubing. This can happen with IV lines, respiratory tubing, urinary catheters and other devices. One example is formula being fed into a patient’s veins when a feeding tube was accidentally connected to the IV line.
The ENFit connection is a solution developed by international safety organizations and manufacturers. Enteral devices with ENFit enteral connectors will connect only to other enteral devices. That’s because there is a male and a female end that fit together. When twisted, they lock, which also prevents accidental disconnection, or “feeding the bed.”
While the ENFit design maintains a secure connection between the feeding tube/extension set and the pump bag or syringe, it does create a space, called the moat, where fluid can get trapped. For this reason, it’s important to keep the moat clean in order to prevent clogging.
Tips for Keeping ENFit Ports Clean
- When you prime the extension set, make sure you stop priming before fluid reaches the end of the tubing.
- When you prime the pump set/bag, make sure you stop priming before fluid reaches the end of the tubing.
- After you draw up liquid medications with an ENFit syringe, clear the moat by gently flicking the syringe or wiping the tip of the syringe with a clean cloth to remove any excess medication from the tip.
How to Clean ENFit Extension Sets
What You Will Need:
- Cup of sterile or clean tap water
- ENFit syringe
- Clean/unused toothbrush or specially-designed brush
- ENFit extension set
Steps for Cleaning ENFit Extension Sets:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and rinse the brush with clean tap water.
- Disconnect the extension set and soak in clean water or rinse under faucet for at least 1 minute.
- Wet the toothbrush with clean water and rotate in the bottom of the moat and cap for 15 seconds.
- Fill the syringe with clean water and flush the extension set.
- Wipe the ports on the extension set and the cap dry. Clean the supplies and air dry.
For a PDF of these instructions, click here.
More Articles on Enteral Misconnections and ENFit:
- Preventing Enteral Misconnections with ENFit® Connectors
- Are You Ready for ENFit? New Feeding Tube Connectors: Video
Resources on Enteral Misconnections and ENFit:
- U.S. FDA: Examples of Medical Device Misconnections
- The Joint Commission: Sentinel Event Alert 53
- Global Enteral Device Supplier Association (GEDSA): Enteral Feeding Connectors
