Care of Your Button Feeding Device

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Penn Home Infusion Team
University of Pennsylvania Health System
Last Modified: November 1, 2001

Site Care

Clean the skin around the Button everyday.

You will need the following supplies:

• washcloth
• soap
• towel

1. Wash your hands (see Handwashing section located in this manual for more information).
2. Use a wet washcloth and soap to wash the skin, making sure to clean where the stitches go into the skin.
3. You may take a shower or bath. Allow the water and soap to run over C. your skin.
4. DO NOT PUT any ointments on the button site without first speaking to your nurse or doctor.
5. Up to a quarter size of yellow drainage may be normal.
6. If you have drainage, a dressing may be applied. If redness develops around the tube or the skin hurts when you touch it, apply a warm, wet washcloth to the site and notify your physician.
7. Once the sutures are removed, rotate the wings of the button one half turn each week.

Cleaning the Feeding Tube Adaptor

1. Once a day, clean the feeding tube adaptor with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
2. Rinse the feeding tube adaptor with warm water after each use.
3. Pipe cleaners may be used for cleaning the feeding tube adaptor if needed.
4. If you are unable to see through the feeding tube adaptor after cleaning it, use a new one.