How to care for PEG tube
Nurse Gigi arrived early at the area. After arrival, she then proceeds to the patient assigned to her. Today, she is assigned to care for a patient with a percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy (PEG). It’s her first time to care for such patient and though she has a clue on what to do, she really isn’t sure about it. To clear her confusions, she approaches her senior and asks for help on how to care for the PEG tube.
Caring for the skin around the PEG tube
- After getting the first PEG tube, instruct the patient not remove the stitches or pieces of tape that hold the PEG tube in place. You, as the caregiver will take them off once the skin around the tube heals.
- Leave clean bandages over the tube area for the first 24 hours after the tube is put in.
- You may not need to use bandages after 24 hours if the skin around the tube looks dry.
Routine skin care:
- Clean the skin daily: Clean the skin around your tube 1 to 2 times each day.
- Check for redness and swelling in the area where the tube goes into the body. Check for fluid draining from the stoma (the hole where the tube was put in).
- Turn your tube daily: If there are no stitches holding your PEG tube in place, gently turn the tube. This may decrease pressure on your skin under the bumper. It may also help prevent an infection.
Keep the skin dry: Keep the skin around the PEG tube dry.
- Use skin medicines as directed: A barrier or antibiotic (germ-killing) cream on the skin around the tube may be needed after you are done cleaning it. If the skin gets infected, antibiotic medicine might be given as ordered.
PEG tube replacement
The tube may be replaced if:
- The PEG tube comes out. You will need to have the tube replaced right away. The stoma (hole) where the tube goes into the stomach can start to close up quickly. This can happen within 2 hours after the tube comes out.
- A clog in the PEG tube cannot be cleared. The tube will need to be replaced immediately.
- The patient has problems with the stoma. Caregivers may need to put the tube into a different place in the stomach.
- The PEG tube is old. The patient may need a new PEG tube every 1 to 2 years.
Sources:
- http://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-use-and-care-for-your-peg-tube.html
- http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/peg-feeding-tubes-indications-and-management
Liane Clores, RN MAN
Currently an Intensive Care Unit nurse, pursuing a degree in Master of Arts in Nursing Major in Nursing Service Administration. Has been a contributor of Student Nurses Quarterly, Vox Populi, The Hillside Echo and the Voice of Nightingale publications. Other experience include: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Obstetric, Emergency and Recovery Room Nursing.
