How do I give food into the MiniONE® Button using a syringe (bolus, gravity)?

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  • Be sure to check out the Quick Care™ section for all of our great educational videos about the MiniONE®.
  • Feed in an upright position and remain upright for at least 30 minutes after feeding is complete.
  • WARNING: This device has the potential to misconnect with small bore connectors of other healthcare applications. Only use this device to connect to compatible enteral devices. Do not use for non-enteral applications.
  1. Gather the following supplies: Formula, clean container for measuring/holding the formula, large syringe (e.g. 60 ml catheter tip or oral tip syringe), feed set, irrigating syringe, and water for flushing the tube. The equipment that you need will vary depending on the feeding method prescribed by your health care provider.
  2. Wash your hands with soap and water. Rinse and dry them well.
  3. Shake the formula and wipe the top of the container with a clean, damp towel before opening. Pour the amount of formula prescribed for one feed into a clean container (for example, you could use a measuring cup). If you do not use all of the formula, cover the open container, record the date and time, and store it in the refrigerator. Throw away formula that is more than 24 hours old. Do not mix new formula with old formula. There is always a chance it will spoil.
  4. Prime the tubing: Clamp the feed set. Remove the plunger from the large syringe and attach the syringe to the feed set. Pour 10-15 ml of formula or water into the syringe, unclamp the feed set, and allow the formula to flow through the feed set until it reaches the end. Then, clamp the feed set and disconnect the syringe.
    • You can prime the tubing with formula or water.
  5. Connect the primed AMT feed set to the Glow Green™ port on the MiniONE®. To connect the feed set to the button, line up the black line on the feed set connector with the black line on the button feeding port. Press the feed set connector into the button. Turn 3/4 to the right (clockwise) to lock the feeding set in place.
    • WARNING: Only tighten feed sets by hand. Never use excessive force or a tool to tighten a connector that twists. Twisting too hard can lead to cracking, leaking, or other problems.
    • WARNING: Be sure the feed set is connected to the MiniONE® only and NOT to an IV set.
    • WARNING: If the feed set is not properly put into the MiniONE® and locked into place, there might be leaking from the tube. When twisting the connector into place, hold the MiniONE® Button firmly so the button does not twist around. Never put the feed set connector into a Balloon Fill Port; this may cause the internal balloon to lose the water and deflate. Refer to MiniONE® Directions for Use for additional information.
  6. To begin feeding:
    • Syringe Feed, Gravity Method: With the plunger still removed from the syringe, attach the syringe to the feed set. Then, slowly pour the prescribed amount of formula into the syringe. Unclamp the feed set and allow the formula to slowly flow into the stomach. Keep the syringe filled with formula to prevent air from entering the stomach, which could cause discomfort. To adjust the flow rate, raise or lower the syringe in relation to the stomach.
    • Syringe Feed, Push Method: Fill a large syringe with formula by pulling back on the plunger to draw the formula into the syringe. Attached the syringe to the primed feed set. Unclamp the feed set and slowly push the formula into the stomach until you empty the syringe. Clamp the feed set and disconnect the syringe. Repeat these steps until you give the prescribed amount of formula for one feeding.
    • While feeding, you can secure the feed set to the belly with an AMT CINCH®. This will help keep the feed set in place and prevent too much movement or tension around the stoma site.
  7. When the feeding is complete, clamp off all extension tubing and disconnect the feed set from the syringe. Do not disconnect the feed set from the MiniONE®.
  8. With the feed set still attached to the MiniONE®, use a syringe to flush water through the feed set and the device (5-10 ml for children, 10-20ml for adults, or amount recommended by your healthcare provider). Close the clamp on the feed set (to prevent leaking) and disconnect the feed set from the MiniONE®. To remove the feed set, hold the button in place and twist the feeding connector a 3/4 turn to the left (counterclockwise) until the black line on the feed set is lined up with the black line on the button. When the black markers are aligned, gently remove the feed set from the button. Be sure to close the safety strap to keep the inside of the button clean.
  9. The feed set should be washed with soap and water and rinsed well. Hang the feed set so that both ends are down; for example, over the side of a dish rack. Once the feed set is completely dry, you can store it in a clean, air-tight container. Never use a dishwasher for cleaning the feeding set.