Blocked feeding tube

Tube feeding is a way of giving liquid food (often formula) into the stomach or small bowel. The formula provides the body with the nutrients needed for good health. How do you deal with a blocked feeding tube?

Equipment used for blocked feeding tube

  • Cotzyme Capsule (pancreatic enzyme) – Need a Prescription
  • Sodium Bicarbonate 1 tablet (325 mg) or ½ teaspoon of baking soda
  • Warm water 60 ml syringe Small cup

Prevention

  1. * FLUSH * FLUSH * FLUSH
  2. Crush all medications to a fine powder and dissolve in a small amount of water 

If the tube blocks:

  1. Assemble equipment
  2. Wash your hands
  3. Try using warm water and use a firm push/pull action with a 60 ml syringe to unblock the tube.
  4. If that is unsuccessful, draw back as much of the contents of blocked tube into a syringe as possible
  5. Place contents of an opened Cotazyme capsule and a crushed Sodium Bicarbonate tablet or baking soda into a cup. Add 10-15ml of warm water and dissolve both medications thoroughly
  6. Draw up the dissolved solution into a 60ml syringe and try flushing it into the tube to get the solution as close as possible to the blocked area. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes.
  7. You can “milk” the tubing to move the solution through the tube.
  8. Unclamp the tube and attempt to flush again with warm water and firm pulling and pushing action. If the tube does not become clear, repeat above steps, leaving the solution for up to one hour.
  9. If two attempts do not clear the tube then most likely the tube will need to be replaced.

If you have any questions, please call Canuck Place: 604-742-3475

If you have any feedback to help us improve this document, please email APN@canuckplace.org

Blocked Feeding Tube pdf 214.45 kb