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Enteral Pumps
A person who has had a gastrostomy (insertion
of a feeding tube into the stomach) is fed
nutrients via a feeding kit and an optional
enteral pump. For someone who cannot chew,
drink, or swallow, a feeding kit ensures
a steady flow of nutrients to keep from starving.
The bag contains a premixed formula that
is nearly liquid and easily processed and
absorbed by the patient's intestines.
Enteral Pumps
An enteral pump is an powered
device that
delivers the nutrients from a
feeding bag
directly into the stomach when
gravity alone
is insufficient or a higher feed
rate is
desired. The pumps can be set
for both steady
delivery of the nutrients as
well as periodic
water to flush out the tube.
Enteral pumps should have alarms
to notify
the caregiver when the food bag
is empty
or when the battery in the unit
is low. An
alarm that signifies when a dose
(less than
a complete bag) has been achieved
is also
helpful.
Feeding Kits
A food bag and delivery tube
is hung on an
IV pole to allow gravity to deliver
the formula.
The bags can be filled from the
top using
a canister of formula. |
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