Your Health Checklist: G-tube CareA gastrostomy or feeding tube, commonly called a G-tube, supplies nutrients directly into yourstomach through your abdomen.If your healthcare provider has recommended a G-tube, follow this checklist when caring for your Gtube after leaving the hospital.Do: Follow any specific instructions your healthcare provider has given you. Make sure all yourquestions are answered before leaving the hospital.Do: Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water before and after caring for your G-tube.Gather your supplies and wear gloves if advised by your healthcare team.Do: Keep the site of your G-tube clean and dry. This should be part of your daily routine.Do: Clean the area and place gauze or a pad over it. If your tube comes out, let your healthcareprovider know. And clean and save the tube to take to your healthcare provider.Do: Include regular irrigation of your G-tube as part of your daily routine, to prevent blockages. Followyour healthcare team's specific instructions on how and when to irrigate your G-tube.Do not: Ignore signs of infection. If the area is red, sore, swollen, or there is any pus or excessdrainage coming from or around the tube, let your healthcare provider know.Do not: Ignore a fever. Call your healthcare provider if you have a fever of 100.4°F or higher.Do not: Skip cleaning the site of your G-tube. This should be done every day.Do not: Take a bath or shower until your healthcare provider tells you it is safe to do so.When you have a G-tube, take care to ensure it is working correctly. Follow this checklist and talk toyour healthcare provider about any questions you have while caring for your G-tube.
Watch this video to learn what a Nasogastric Tube, or NG tube is, how it works, and why your healthcare provider may decide you need one in the hospital.
