Hi. My mom's swallow issues (due to surgery) have returned in full force and a new tube was placed. This one is different than the last one she had, it has 3 ports and uses an Enfit syringe that screws on and doesn't have a clamp to prevent drips, it appears that is done manually. It's been a brutal almost 2 weeks in the hospital with aspiration pneumonia, low blood platelets from the antibiotics, PPN until the tube could be placed and we just noticed this (tube was placed Wed).
I had told the woman who offered education we did not need it bc we knew how to use it and we were going to do bolus and not have mom attached to a pole all night. Now I'm panicking bc I see it's different so will have to chase them down again. I'm hoping someone can reassure me this one is not difficult to use. It looks awkward having to manually clamp it and screw on the syringe. We were so used to just sticking the tip in and doing everything through that one place, medications, water formula. They are also using a different formula, we used Promote 1.0 and they are using Jevity 1.5 and I just reordered more Promote and syringes that won't fit.
It's so upsetting that this happened after she had regained a good amount of her ability and now this added stress.
**Note this is NOT an end of life situation so no comments on that with regard to the tube please and thank you.
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My dad did great with the longer one, this one he has to bend and it hurts his back (he had back surgery last year) and mom is deeply depressed and frustrated and there are family dynamics at play we've all been there.
I was thinking so far as to hire private just to administer tube feeds and meds but at so many short intervals during the day that's not feasible affordable or practical.
So we now know how to use it, it's just not practical for bolus/gravity feeding at all. I don't like the idea of just plunging it all in.
I will try calling the manufacturer that is a good idea.
I would also see if there's a manufacturer's "help line" you can contact. They might be able to e-mail you instructions with video to help. They generally provide 24/7 help.
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That IS frustrating to be certain. As an old retired RN I will tell you that switching out of formula can also cause some adjustment digestion wise, so watch for that.
I am assuming that you have now ordered the correct formula and equipment and got the education required to use the new equipment. If not, do try youtube, as they have films on almost everything out there. Even how to reuse a one time use TomCat mousetrap! The company that makes the new tube should also have videos for you, so access their website.
All that being a wash it is back to the hospital that placed the new equipment to tell them what you just told us.
Hope you will update us that all is well and you now have good knowledge of all the new stuff, and I wish you well.