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Water and EN-Tuesday Tube Facts

Did you know…?

Patients receiving enteral therapy have multiple points of interface with water. Most drinking water may be considered safe for healthy individuals, but the types and concentrations of contaminants may pose risks to EN patients.[1]

Contaminants may be chemical or biologic; pathogenic microorganisms are included in the latter.[1]

References:

  1. Boullata, Joseph I., et al. ASPEN Safe Practices for Enteral Nutrition Therapy. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, vol. 41, no. 1, 2016, pp. 15–103., doi:10.1177/0148607116673053.

Syringe Force-Tuesday Tube Facts

Did you know…?

Flushing a partially clogged feeding tube may require as much as 5.5 times more force on the syringe than a fully cleared tube.[1]

References:

  1. https://www.tubeclear.com/2019/09/30/syringe-force-on-clogged-feeding-tubes/
  2. Actuated Medical, Inc. Internal Test Report Doc. No. 1100791569-001.

Water Not Effective-Tuesday Tube Facts

Did you know…?

In one study, water was found to clear clogged tubes only 20% of the time.[1]

References:

  1. Garrison, C. M. Enteral Feeding Tube Clogging: What Are the Causes and What Are the Answers? A Bench Top Analysis. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 2018. 33(1):147-150.
  2. Dandeles, L. and Lodolee, A. Efficacy of Agents to Prevent and Treat Enteral Feeding Tube Clogs. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 2011. 45:676-680.

Water is Only 20% Effective Against Clogs – Tuesday Tube Facts

Did you know…?

Water was found to be 20% effective at clearing clogged feeding tubes.[1]

Water is the current standard practice for treating and preventing clogged feeding tubes.[2]

References:

  1. Garrison, C. M. Enteral Feeding Tube Clogging: What Are the Causes and What Are the Answers? A Bench Top Analysis. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 2018. 33(1):147-150.
  2. Zoeller, S., Bechtold, M.L., Burns, B., Cattell, T., Grenda, B., Haffke, L., Larimer, C., Powers, J., Reuning, F., Tweel, L., Guenter, P. Dispelling Myths and Unfounded Practices About Enteral Nutrition. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 2020. 1-9.

Enzymes, Juice, and Soda Unable to Clear Clogged Tubes – Tuesday Tube Facts

Did you know…?

Of 9 solutions to clear clogged feeding tubes in one study, none were able to restore patency within 4 hours.[1]

The solutions were 6 different enzymes, cranberry juice, soda, and distilled water. More than 4 hours without a functioning feeding tube may impact a patient’s health.[1]

References:

  1. Nicholson U. Declogging small-bore feeding tubes. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 1987;11:594-7.