Terry had a PEG tube fitted two weeks ago - spent 7 days in hospital- 3 of them on fluids only for hydration before the feed regime was commenced. I am now tasked with administering the feed plus 11 medications. My problem is the syringes issued for use: they 'stick' after being used several times during the day and I find them extremely difficult to loosen (have a touch of arthritis in my hands). Have been issued with one per week - has anyone else encountered the same problem and found a solution?
I understand that due to EU regulations there is at present only one manufacturer supplying the ENfit syringes to the nhs
I found this a problem towards the end of the week but with all the medication you have to give, I probably wasn’t using them so much. I expect you are washing them well after use, letting them dry thoughly and storing the tube and the plunger separately. Do you have a pump? We had one which I used if time was a factor and when the syringes needed changing too often. You could then administer the medication by syringe but not the feed which would be slowly pumped through. If you are in the U.K. ask your HENS. Using the pump in a back pack, we could also go out without worrying about feeding and indoors the feed was in a bottle upside down on a stand dripping through.
Tell the HENS about your arthritis. They may make an exception.
The annoying thing was, just before my husband died we had a months supply of feed and syringes delivered. When he died all the feed had to be tipped down the drain and the syringes thrown away. I was told nothing obtained on prescription can be used for anyone else. What a disgraceful waste.
Best wishes
XxxX
Thanks for the advice NannaB. Yes We were issued with a pump for the feed but the meds and all the necessary flushes between each dose means that the syringe is used about thirty times a day - they really are rubbish! The PEG nurse told me there is no alternative to using these particular syringes.