Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Care Instructions

You may begin using your tube for feeding and medications as directed by your health care team.
See tube feeding instruction sheet for specific feeding directions.

You may shower 24 hours after tube placement.
Do not take a tub bath until after your PEG check appointment (usually 7-10 days after placement) or until the health care provides says that it is OK.

Always wash your hands before handling your PEG. Ask others to do the same.
You must flush your PEG with 1 syringe of tap water at least once per day even if not using PEG for nutrition.
Clean PEG site with soap and water daily. DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide or any special cleansers. You may use a Q-tip or gauze to swab gently around the site.
If there is drainage around the tube that is bothersome (soiling clothes, etc), you may apply a clean split gauze dressing to the site. This should be changed often if soiled. Otherwise, leaving the tube open to air is best to reduce the risk of infection.
Ask your healthcare provider about how to safely secure the PEG to your abdomen.
It is normal to see tube feeding or other liquids in your PEG. Do not drain your PEG unless instructed by your healthcare provider.

Check the number at the base of the PEG on the day the PEG is placed and daily until PEG check. If the number changes by 2 or more, call your healthcare provider.
Slight in-and-out movement of the PEG is normal and can help prevent complications resulting from the bumper being too tight against the abdomen.
Rotate your PEG a quarter of a turn each day until you are seen in clinic for your PEG check.

Flush PEG with 1 syringe of water BEFORE AND AFTER any medication is put down the PEG.
Medication should be given one at a time. Review medications with pharmacist to ensure they are OK to put through PEG. Medications must be in liquid form or crushed (use a pill crusher) finely and mixed with 1 syringe of water. Draw up medication and water mixture into syringe and push into PEG followed by 1 syringe of water.

Fill 1 syringe with warm water to try to flush PEG. Gently and firmly push and pull the plunger back and forth. Do not try to force the water into the PEG.
Clamp the tube for 20 minutes allowing the water to “soak”.
Repeat if necessary.
If this does not unclog your PEG, contact your healthcare provider.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following problems:

Redness, swelling, sores, blood, or pus around the PEG.
Drainage around PEG that soaks more than 2 gauze pads at the PEG site each day.
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours or prevents you from giving the next tube feeding.
Pain near your PEG site that is not relieved with prescribed medication.
Constipation that lasts for more than 3 days.
Weight loss of more than 3 pounds in one week.
Fever.
Not tolerating feedings.

If the PEG falls out before your PEG check, cover the site with clean gauze and go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

version information:

last update:

August 2022