Potential Complications FAQs Archives | Applied Medical Technology

Vomiting

Contact your healthcare provider if you or your patient is experiencing vomiting.
Aspiration (inhalation of food or stomach contents into the lungs) may occur while vomiting, causing difficulty in breathing or other serious medical conditions. Stop feeding and decompress the stomach immediately if you suspect that aspiration has occurred.
CONTACT EMERGENCY CARE IMMEDIATELY IF DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING OCCURS OR ASPIRATION IS SUSPECTED.
To help avoid vomiting and aspiration, DO NOT FEED WHILE THE PATIENT IS LYING FLAT.

Contact your healthcare provider if you or your patient is experiencing diarrhea.
Diarrhea may occur if formula is spoiled. If you or your patient is experiencing diarrhea, try mixing/preparing new formula before each feeding.
Diarrhea can also occur when formula is delivered too quickly. If you or your patient is experiencing diarrhea, try delivering formula at a slower rate.
Cleanliness is also very important. ALL CAREGIVERS SHOULD WASH THEIR HANDS THOROUGHLY PRIOR TO PREPARING THE FORMULA AND HANDLING THE FEEDING SETS.
Make sure the feed set is rinsed thoroughly to avoid soap in the formula.

Contact your healthcare provider if you or your patient is experiencing constipation.
Constipation may occur due to dehydration, inactivity, a change in formula or type of nutrition being delivered, a change to the daily feeding schedule, or a change in medication.
Constipation can also be the result of an underlying medical condition. These include, but are not limited to: anorectal malformations, Hirschsprung’s disease, spina bifida, sacral agenesis, trauma, or behavioral disorders.
If constipation persists, you may want to speak to your healthcare provider about a bowel management program.

An upset stomach may occur if too much formula/nutrition is administered or if the formula/nutrition is delivered too quickly. If you or your patient experience an upset stomach, try delivering a smaller amount of formula or feeding at a slower rate.
Call your doctor if the upset stomach persists.

Fever, vomiting, or diarrhea
Skin around the stoma site is red, discolored, or raw
Drainage around the stoma site is white, yellow, or green
Drainage around the stoma site is discolored and has an unpleasant odor
Crusting at the stoma site
Large amount of tissue build up, such as granulation tissue
Swollen skin or tissue at the stoma site
Repetitive leakage of food, gastric contents, or bowel contents
Leakage, the device may be too loose or too tight (stoma length may need to be re-measured)
Possible tube migration:
- Low profile device: External bolster is no longer flush against the skin. Look for either a distinct indentation at the stoma site or a distinct gap between the device and skin.
- Traditional length device: External bolster has moved from original position (refer to cm markings).
The G-tube or cecostomy/appendicostomy tube falls out and you are unable to replace it easily
Pain at the stoma site
Bleeding, pus, or inflammation at the stoma site
Distended stomach, a possible indication of gastric or intestinal blockage