What is enteral nutrition?

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  • Everyone needs food to live. Sometimes a person cannot eat any food or cannot eat enough food because of an illness, difficulties in swallowing, or some type of surgery that interferes with eating. In these situations, nutrition must be supplied in a different way. If a person cannot eat by mouth, but their stomach and/or intestines are still working, one potential way to deliver nutrients is called “enteral nutrition” or “tube feeding”.
  • Enteral nutrition, or tube feeding, is a way to provide food through a tube placed in the nose, the stomach, or the small intestine. A tube that goes through the skin and into the stomach is called a gastrostomy tube, or G-Tube.
  • For some individuals, enteral nutrition may be their only source of food; for others, enteral nutrition may be added to their daily food routine as a supplement.
  • If you or someone you care for cannot eat by mouth, your healthcare provider will help you choose the best option to get nutrition in a different way.

What does it mean to be tube fed?

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  • Tube feeding is another way to describe enteral nutrition. If a person cannot eat by mouth, but their stomach and/or intestines are still working, one potential way to deliver nutrients is called “enteral nutrition” or “tube feeding”.
  • Tube feeding uses a special medical device, sometimes called a “feeding tube”, to create a direct pathway to deliver nutrition into the body. Feeding tubes can be used to deliver formula, real food blends, medication, and water.
  • Feeding tubes are named by where they enter the body and where the tube is placed. For example, if the device is being placed directly into the stomach or the “gastric” space, it will be called a “gastrostomy” tube or G-Tube.
  • Your healthcare team (doctors, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists) will talk with you about the different types of feeding tubes and prescribe the proper feeding device for your medical and nutritional needs.

What types of enteral nutrition devices does AMT offer?

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  • A Gastrostomy Tube, also known as a G-Tube, is used to deliver nutrition directly into the stomach. The device is placed through the belly, or abdominal wall, and into the stomach. AMT offers a low profile G-Tube called the MiniONE®. The phrase “low profile” refers to the external portion of the device, often called the bolster, being very flat or flush against the skin. Low profile G-Tubes, like the MiniONE®, are sometimes called a button.
  • A Gastric-Jejunal Tube, also known as a GJ-Tube, has two ports: the gastric port (g-port) goes to the stomach and is most commonly used for delivering medication, draining excess fluids, or venting air; the jejunal port (j-port) goes to a section of the small intestine called the jejunum and is used to deliver nutrition. The device is placed through the belly, or abdominal wall, into the stomach, and then passes out of the stomach into a part of the small intestine called the jejunum. AMT offers a low profile Gastric-Jejunal Tube called the G-JET®. The phrase “low profile” means that the external portion of the device, often called the bolster, is very flat or flush against the skin.
  • G-Tubes and GJ-Tubes are easy to use and they work very well to get nutrition and/or medicine into the body that you need to stay healthy and grow. Nutritional formulas are either “ready to use” made by a company, or homemade using a food processor. A healthcare provider will prescribe the right way to feed with a tube, the best formula for you, and amount of extra water you need to stay healthy.

What is the difference between low profile and traditional/standard length devices?

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  • Low profile refers to the external portion of the device, often called the bolster, being very flat or flush against the skin. Due to this flat design, these devices can easily be hidden under your clothes. Low profile tubes are often called “buttons”. AMT makes a few different kinds of low profile G-Tubes and GJ-Tubes for both children and adults.
  • Traditional length means that the external portion of the device is long and extends from the body. These tubes are sometimes called “long tubes”, “adjustable length tubes”, “standard length tubes”, and even “danglers”. Traditional length devices have a round disc, or retention ring, for the external bolster. The disk can be moved up and down the tube to accommodate changes in stoma length. Traditional length devices typically accommodate stoma lengths up to 10 cm. The disk/ring on AMT’s devices has small “feet” to keep it from touching too much skin at one time. The small “feet” allow the skin around the stoma site to stay dry and open to the air which can help prevent infection. AMT offers three Traditional Length G-Tubes: the Balloon G-Tube, the Capsule Dome G-Tube, and the Capsule Monarch® G-Tube.

What type of tube will I need?

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  • There are many types of feeding tubes to choose. The type of tube you need will depend on several factors, including your medical condition and how long you may need to have tube feedings. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the tube that is right for you. Your healthcare team will also advise you on how to feed, the best type of nutrition, and how much water you need to stay healthy!

What type of water can I use to mix formula, to flush the tube, and for nutritional water needs?

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  • Whether you are mixing formula, flushing the tube, or delivering water for nutritional needs, the water should be safe for drinking. If you have access to safe tap water, you should not need to use store bought water. When delivering water as part of your enteral nutrition program, it should be warm (NOT HOT) and comfortable to the touch.
  • Types of water include:
    • Tap water (from your sink’s faucet) that meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rules for safe drinking water. You can call your city’s water department to find out if your water meets these rules.
    • Boiled tap water – bring to a rolling boil for 1-3 minutes and then cool before using.
    • Distilled water.
    • Bottled water.
    • Sterile water. If your healthcare provider recommends using sterile water, you may have to special order it through your pharmacy.
  • If you are not sure which type of water to use, ask your healthcare provider for more information.
  • In general, it is important to flush the feeding tube with water to help prevent clogging (both before and after each feeding) and to help meet daily water needs.

What type of dental care and oral hygiene should I do if I’m not eating by mouth?

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  • General recommendations for oral care include:
    • Gently brush the teeth and gums with a soft toothbrush at least twice per day.
    • If possible, rinse your mouth with a mouthwash or warm salt water to help maintain fresh breath and to help prevent dry mouth. Rinsing with warm salt water may also help a sore throat.
    • If taking in liquids by mouth is allowed, sucking on ice chips can also help prevent dry mouth.
    • Use a lip balm regularly to help prevent dry or cracked lips.
  • Good dental or oral care is important to maintaining healthy teeth, gums and tongue. Consult with your healthcare team for specific recommendations on oral care.

Will I be able to eat by mouth?

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  • Your healthcare provider will talk with you about the possibility of both receiving nutrition through your feeding tube and also eating by mouth. The decision to eat by mouth will depend on several factors including your medical condition and ability to swallow.

Can I fly with my feeding tube?

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  • YES, always! When flying or traveling with a feeding tube, it is important to plan ahead and bring a back-up tube in case of emergencies.
  • Make sure you have enough formula, medicine, and water with you when you travel.
  • Always call the airline you are traveling with and the TSA at least 72 hours prior to traveling. The airline and the TSA will be able to provide specific guidance that will assist you in the security screening process. Additionally, this will give you a better idea of what to expect when you arrive at the airport.
  • When going through security at the airport, you should always tell the TSA agent about your feeding tube. Be sure to inform the agent about all of the liquids and medicine(s) you are traveling with.
  • To help save time at airport security, you can fill out this card that has been provided by the TSA: https://www.tsa.gov/…/…/disability_notification_card_508.pdf
  • If you have additional questions, the TSA has good information on their website: http://bit.ly/2HudYan. You can also call TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227.
  • Some quick tips:
    • Arrive early to allow plenty of time to go through security.
    • Pack your medical supplies in your carry on.
    • See if medical supplies can be shipped to your destination.

Are AMT devices Latex-Free?

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  • Many people have to be careful with latex because of allergies. If your healthcare provider asks about latex in AMT tubes and products, you can show them this list.
  • The following products and product components manufactured by Applied Medical Technology, Inc. are not made with natural rubber latex. This includes the components and packaging of the following device families:
    • AMT Bridle™ and Bridle Pro® Nasal Tube Retaining System
    • G-JET® Button, Low Profile Gastric-Jejunal Feeding Tube
    • MiniONE® Button, Low Profile Gastrostomy Tube Device Family
    • Balloon G-Tube, Traditional Length Gastrostomy Tube
    • Capsule Dome, Traditional Length Gastrostomy Tube
    • Capsule Monarch®, Traditional Length Gastrostomy Tube
    • MiniACE® Button, Low Profile Antegrade Continence Enema Device
    • AMT Introducer
    • AMT Clamp™
    • CINCH® Tube Securement Device
    • All feeding, extension, and irrigation set components
    • Mini™ Button, Low Profile Balloon Gastrostomy Tube

Are AMT devices Free of DEHP?

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  • The following products and product components manufactured by Applied Medical Technology, Inc. are not made with the plasticizer DEHP (Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate):
    • AMT Bridle™ and Bridle Pro® Nasal Tube Retaining System
    • G-JET® Button, Low Profile Gastric-Jejunal Feeding Tube
    • MiniONE® Button, Low Profile Gastrostomy Tube Device Family
    • Balloon G-Tube, Traditional Length Gastrostomy Tube
    • Capsule Dome, Traditional Length Gastrostomy Tube
    • Capsule Monarch®, Traditional Length Gastrostomy Tube
    • MiniACE® Button, Low Profile Antegrade Continence Enema Device
    • AMT Introducer
    • AMT Clamp™
    • CINCH® Tube Securement Device
    • All feeding, extension, and irrigation set components
    • Mini™ Button, Low Profile Balloon Gastrostomy Tube