Feeding Tube Care
To continue meeting nutritional requirements
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Key Components of Feeding Tube Care
A feeding tube is more than just a medical device; it's a lifeline. It's specially designed for those who, due to various reasons, cannot consume food the conventional way or have challenges with swallowing.
Our dedicated care ensures that every individual receives the essential nutrition they need, seamlessly and safely.
Feeding Tube Principles
Nutrition and Swallow Therapy
Speech Therapy
Psychology and Emotional Wellbeing
Cognitive Training
PEG Dressing
Rebuild speech & cognitive functions
Prevent complications
Improved overall quality of life
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Types of Tube Feeds
Understanding that every patient's needs are unique, we offer a variety of tube feeds tailored to individual requirements.
Here's a glimpse of the options we provide:
A temporary solution, this tube is inserted through the nose and extends to the stomach.
Similar to the Nasogastric tube but extends further into the jejunum, a part of the small intestine.
A more permanent solution, this tube is directly inserted into the stomach through the abdominal wall.
Directly inserted into the jejunum, this tube bypasses the stomach entirely.
Comprehensive of Feeding Tube Care
Adapting to life with a feeding tube involves acquiring new skills and establishing new routines. Our holistic approach to care encompasses:
Ensuring the well-being and comfort of the individual on tube feed is our top priority.
Regular checks and upkeep of the tube to prevent complications and ensure its longevity.
A step-by-step approach to feeding, ensuring that the patient receives the right amount of nutrition in the safest manner possible.
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Hear from the Healed
Overall rating
My wife had a stroke at the age of 49. After Surgery, we were referred to HCAH Transition Care Center. My wife was practically bedridden with multiple tubes running through her. But her recovery at HCAH began on day one. Their multidisciplinary staff...
We had a caregiver from HCAH for my 85-year-old Dad to help him recover from back surgery. He was very alert, optimistic, experienced, and he kept building my old dad's hope to recover. He was very interactive and provided me regular updates with Dad...
My sister was admitted to HCAH Post GBS. She came here in a bedridden condition with a tracheostomy, oxygen support, and feeding tubes. Today, after 2 months, the tracheostomy tube, oxygen support, and food pipe have been removed. She can now walk in...
Treated Patients Coming from Leading Hospitals
A Guide to Feeding Tube Care
When a patient is unable to eat or swallow safely, a feeding tube ensures they still receive the nutrition and hydration needed to recover and live comfortably. Feeding tubes can be temporary or long-...Read More
A Guide to Feeding Tube Care
When a patient is unable to eat or swallow safely, a feeding tube ensures they still receive the nutrition and hydration needed to recover and live comfortably. Feeding tubes can be temporary or long-term, depending on the medical condition.
At HCAH Rehabilitation & Recovery Centres, and through our team of expert nurses for home care, we provide safe and professional feeding tube care for patients across Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
At HCAH Rehabilitation & Recovery Centres, and through our team of expert nurses for home care, we provide safe and professional feeding tube care for patients across Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
What is Tube Feeding?
Tube feeding (also called enteral nutrition) is the process of delivering liquid nutrition directly into the digestive system. This is done through different types of tubes:
Nasogastric (NG) tube – inserted through the nose into the stomach.
Gastrostomy tube (PEG tube) – placed directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall.
Jejunostomy tube (J-tube) – placed into the small intestine when feeding into the stomach is not possible.
The choice of tube depends on the patient’s condition, nutritional needs, and how long feeding support is required.
Nasogastric (NG) tube – inserted through the nose into the stomach.
Gastrostomy tube (PEG tube) – placed directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall.
Jejunostomy tube (J-tube) – placed into the small intestine when feeding into the stomach is not possible.
The choice of tube depends on the patient’s condition, nutritional needs, and how long feeding support is required.
When is Tube Feeding Needed?
Doctors may recommend tube feeding in conditions such as:
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) – often after a stroke or neurological illness.
• Malnutrition or inability to meet nutrition needs by mouth.
• Neurological disorders such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease, or cerebral palsy.
• Post-surgical recovery when swallowing is not yet possible.
• Severe trauma, burns, or critical illness requiring additional nutritional support.
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) – often after a stroke or neurological illness.
• Malnutrition or inability to meet nutrition needs by mouth.
• Neurological disorders such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease, or cerebral palsy.
• Post-surgical recovery when swallowing is not yet possible.
• Severe trauma, burns, or critical illness requiring additional nutritional support.
Feeding Tube Procedure and Care
Placement: An NG tube is inserted through the nose, while PEG or J-tubes are surgically placed. Placement is always confirmed by medical professionals.
Administration: Specialised liquid nutrition formulas are given through the tube, matched to the patient’s age, medical condition, and calorie needs.
Precautions: Correct placement must always be checked, and patients monitored for discomfort, infection, or tube blockage.
Administration: Specialised liquid nutrition formulas are given through the tube, matched to the patient’s age, medical condition, and calorie needs.
Precautions: Correct placement must always be checked, and patients monitored for discomfort, infection, or tube blockage.
Daily Care for Feeding Tubes
Proper care reduces complications and ensures safe nutrition delivery.
• Tube site hygiene – clean the stoma site (PEG/J-tube) daily with sterile solutions to prevent infection.
• Flushing the tube – regular flushing with water prevents blockages.
• Checking tube position – make sure the tube is secure and hasn’t shifted.
• Hydration support – fluid intake is monitored along with nutrition.
• Observation – look for redness, swelling, or leakage around the tube site.
• Tube site hygiene – clean the stoma site (PEG/J-tube) daily with sterile solutions to prevent infection.
• Flushing the tube – regular flushing with water prevents blockages.
• Checking tube position – make sure the tube is secure and hasn’t shifted.
• Hydration support – fluid intake is monitored along with nutrition.
• Observation – look for redness, swelling, or leakage around the tube site.
Common Complications and How to Prevent Them
• Blockages: prevented by flushing the tube with water after feeds.
• Infections: prevented with daily cleaning and sterile handling.
• Skin irritation: managed by keeping the area dry and using protective dressings.
• Discomfort or leakage: requires immediate medical/nursing assessment.
If complications occur, seek medical attention promptly to avoid emergencies.
• Infections: prevented with daily cleaning and sterile handling.
• Skin irritation: managed by keeping the area dry and using protective dressings.
• Discomfort or leakage: requires immediate medical/nursing assessment.
If complications occur, seek medical attention promptly to avoid emergencies.
Living with a Feeding Tube
Adjusting to life with a feeding tube can be emotional and challenging for patients and families. With the right support, most patients adapt well and continue daily activities.
• Expert nursing support helps families manage tube feeding confidently at home.
• Rehabilitation in centres ensures overall recovery, as patients often also require physiotherapy, speech and swallowing therapy alongside tube care.
At HCAH, we combine expert nurses with comprehensive in-patient rehabilitation to provide safe, dignified, and holistic care.
• Expert nursing support helps families manage tube feeding confidently at home.
• Rehabilitation in centres ensures overall recovery, as patients often also require physiotherapy, speech and swallowing therapy alongside tube care.
At HCAH, we combine expert nurses with comprehensive in-patient rehabilitation to provide safe, dignified, and holistic care.
Why Choose HCAH for Feeding Tube Care?
• Expert Nurses trained in NG, PEG, and J-tube care.
• Rehab Advantage – feeding tube management integrated with recovery therapies (speech, physio, nutrition).
• Nationwide Network – Centers in Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
• Patient-Centred Approach – ensuring safety, comfort, and dignity for patients and caregivers.
• Rehab Advantage – feeding tube management integrated with recovery therapies (speech, physio, nutrition).
• Nationwide Network – Centers in Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
• Patient-Centred Approach – ensuring safety, comfort, and dignity for patients and caregivers.
Call to Action
If you or a loved one requires a feeding tube, safe and professional care is essential. Contact HCAH today for expert nursing support at home and structured rehabilitation at our centres to ensure safe feeding and faster recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
The nutrients within the feed are like what is available from normal food and also digested in the same way. The tube feed covers calories, protein, fat, fibers and all micronutrients required for the patient on daily basis.
Depending on the need for tube feeding, it may be kept for weeks or months. The tube feeding is gradually weaned off and the tube is removed once the disease condition improves, and the patient is able to swallow adequate liquid or semisolid food.
In some cases, tube feeding may be required for a very long period or for life. Having a feeding tube means learning new skills and adopting new routines.
In some cases, tube feeding may be required for a very long period or for life. Having a feeding tube means learning new skills and adopting new routines.
Indications Needing Tube Feed:
- Unconscious patient with no swallowing/Gag reflex.
- Post-surgical procedures of Gastrointestinal system
- Inability to swallow due to disease conditions (tumor, swelling, injury, cancer)
- Surgery inside oral cavity (mouth).
- Severe trauma of head and neck
- Critical Illnesses with altered sensorium.
- Inability to tolerate oral feeds.
- Supplementation of Nutrition and fluid requirements.
Gastrostomy Tube (*PEG/**RIG)- Can be inserted directly into the stomach through a small stoma (opening) created by a surgical incision over the abdomen). It can be used for more than 6 months.
Yes. Our expert will assess the severity of your condition and suggest what would work best for your needs: Feeding Tube care at home or at the HCAH care center.
Yes. Our feeding tube care program is comprehensive and gives weight to every aspect of recovery. We have dedicated speech and swallow therapists and cognitive therapists who will help in rebuilding your ability to eat.
The impact of tube feeding on the mental health of the patient is not commonly recognized. HCAH ensures the mental and emotional well-being of the patient and their family through regular psychological sessions.
HCAH follows dedicated feeding tube principles while maintaining hospital-like safety and hygiene and taking all precautions. Our nursing staff is specially trained per the international protocol to care for the patients on tube feed.
Caring for a patient with a feeding tube involves:
- Checking the tube placement before each feeding.
- Administering the prescribed formula at the correct rate and temperature.
- Keeping the patient's head elevated during and after feedings.
- Cleaning the stoma site daily and checking for signs of infection.
- Flushing the tube with water before and after feedings and medications.
- Flushing the tube with water before and after feedings and medications.
- Ensuring regular assessment of nutritional needs and hydration status.
The stoma site around the feeding tube should be cleaned daily with mild soap and water, and then dried thoroughly. The external portion of the tube should also be cleaned daily. Flushing the tube with water before and after feedings and medications helps keep the inside of the tube clean. Regular cleaning prevents infections and ensures the longevity and functionality of the feeding tube.
Tube feeding, also known as enteral nutrition, provides essential nutrients directly to the stomach or intestine. While it is a life-sustaining treatment, it is not typically classified as "life support" in the same way as mechanical ventilation or advanced cardiac life support. However, for patients who cannot eat or swallow, tube feeding is crucial for maintaining nutrition, hydration, and overall health.
Yes, many individuals with feeding tubes live at home. With proper training and guidance, caregivers or family members can manage tube feedings, administer medications, and provide routine care for the tube site. Home health services can also support and monitor patients with feeding tubes in the home setting.
The greatest risk of tube feeding is aspiration, where the formula enters the lungs instead of the stomach or intestines. This can lead to pneumonia and other respiratory complications. Other risks include tube dislodgement, infection at the insertion site, gastrointestinal complications like diarrhea or constipation, and metabolic imbalances.
A feeding tube is a significant medical intervention used when oral intake is insufficient or unsafe. While it's a valuable tool in maintaining nutrition and hydration, it comes with potential complications and requires diligent care. The decision to place a feeding tube should be based on individual needs, potential benefits, and risks.
Recovery time after feeding tube placement varies. Generally, for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes, most patients can resume normal activities within a week, though the stoma site may take several weeks to fully heal. For nasogastric tubes, there's minimal recovery time as it's a non-surgical procedure. It's essential to follow healthcare provider guidelines for activity restrictions and care.
