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Be sure to check out the Quick Care section for all of our great educational videos about the MiniONE®.

1. Gather the following supplies: Formula, feeding bag, feed set, irrigating syringe, enteral feeding pump, water for flushing the tube, and a place to hang/mount your feeding bag (such as an IV pole). The equipment that you need will vary depending on the feeding method prescribed by your health care provider. For example, when delivering food with an enteral feeding pump, you may want to mount your pump on an IV pole or carry your pump in a back-pack.
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. 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: Attach the feeding bag tubing to the feed set and clamp one or both tubes. Pour the prescribed amount of formula into the feeding bag, carefully squeeze the air out of the bag and close it. To prime the tubing, you can either: 1. unclamp the tubing and allow the formula/liquid to flow through to the end of the tubing or 2. attach the feeding bag tubing to the feeding pump and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Be sure to close the pinch clamp when priming is complete. If you chose to prime the tubing using Option 1, you will need to attach the feeding bag tubing to the feeding pump at this time. Priming the feeding sets removes air from the tubing and prevents it from being pumped into the stomach.
5. Once the feeding bag tubing/feed set is primed, connect the 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: Be sure the feeding bag is mounted in a safe location (such as on an IV pole). Follow the manufacturer’s directions to set the pump rate, unclamp the feed/feeding set, and then begin feeding. Be sure to place your feeding pump in a location that is easy for you to access and allows for proper delivery of the enteral nutrition. Food/nutrition should be administered as prescribed by your healthcare team.
   • There are several different ways in which food can be delivered using an enteral feeding pump. Two common methods are continuous feeding (consistent delivery of nutrition over a 24-hour period) and intermittent feeding (nutrition is delivered every 4-6 hours).
   • You can adjust the settings on your enteral feeding pump to accommodate the feeding schedule your healthcare team has prescribed.
   • 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 feeding is complete, clamp off all extension tubing. Disconnect the feed set from the feeding bag tubing. Do not disconnect the feed set from your 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.

The post How do I give food into the MiniONE® Button using a feeding pump? appeared first on Applied Medical Technology.

Be sure to check out the Quick Care section for all of our great educational videos about the MiniONE®.

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.

The post How do I give food into the MiniONE® Button using a syringe (bolus, gravity)? appeared first on Applied Medical Technology.

Be sure to check out the Quick Care section for all of our great educational videos about the MiniONE®.

1. Gather the following supplies: Formula, clean container for measuring/holding the formula, gravity feeding bag, feed set, irrigating syringe, water for flushing the tube, and a place to hang/mount your gravity bag (for example, an IV pole). 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: Attach the gravity bag tubing to the feed set and clamp one or both tubes. Pour the prescribed amount of formula into the feeding bag, carefully squeeze the air out of the bag and close it. Hang the gravity feeding bag in a secure location, such as on an IV pole. To prime the tubing, unclamp the feed set and slowly open the roller clamp on the gravity bag tubing. Allow the formula to flow until it reaches the end of the feed set. Close the pinch clamp when priming is complete. Priming the feeding sets removes air from the tubing and prevents it from being pumped into the stomach.
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.
6. To begin feeding: Unclamp the feed set and allow the formula to slowly flow into the stomach. You can control the feeding rate by adjusting the roller clamp. Open the roller clamp to increase the rate of feeding; close the roller clamp to decrease/slow the rate of feeding.
7. When feeding is complete, clamp off all extension tubing. Disconnect the feed set from the gravity bag tubing. Do not disconnect the feed set from your 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.

The post How do I give food into the MiniONE® using a gravity drip bag (bolus)? appeared first on Applied Medical Technology.

Medicine may also be given into the MiniONE®’s Glow Green interlock using the slip tip syringe that comes in the G-Tube kit.

• Mix the medicine with a little water and drawback the mixture into the slip tip syringe (only do this if your doctor/pharmacist has told you it is safe to water down the medicine).
• Put the syringe right into the MiniONE® Glow Green interlock (feeding port).
• When you are done giving the medication, flush the port water (5-10 ml for children, 10-20ml for adults, or amount recommended by your healthcare provider).

The post How do I give medicine into the MiniONE® Button? appeared first on Applied Medical Technology.

• Low Water Level in the Balloon. Make sure the balloon is filled with the right amount of water (resistance should be felt when gently pulling on the tube.)
  • NOTE: The recommended amount of water for the balloon is printed on top of the fill valve. If you have questions, contact your healthcare provider.
• Incorrectly Sized Device. If the MiniONE® feels too tight or too loose, make sure that the French size and stoma length match what is prescribed by your healthcare provider. If the wrong device is in place, contact your provider. Refer to the FAQ, “The MiniONE® Button feels loose/tight against the skin; what should I do?” for more information.
  It is important to have your stoma site re-measured on a regular basis, especially if you are still growing or have lost/gained weight recently. Changes to your body may impact the size of the device you need. If you are not experiencing changes to your body, the stoma site should still be measured every 6-12 months for optimal device performance.
• Newly Placed G-Tubes. For new placements, it may take time for the stoma tract to naturally heal and firm up around the tube and the balloon. If leakage continues, contact your healthcare provider.
• Stomach Residuals and/or Gas. Your healthcare provider may recommend decompressing or “venting” the stomach (letting the air or liquid out) before or after feeding to help reduce pressure inside the stomach. Too much pressure in the stomach can lead to bloating and discomfort. Decompression can be performed if there is a need to check for residuals (the gastric fluid and formula left within the stomach between feeds), or if you/your patient tends to hold air in the stomach during feeding. Refer to the FAQ, “How do I decompress/vent the MiniONE®?” for more information.

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