Guidelines for PRU nurses:

• The patient stays for at least 2 hours with the G-tube connected to a straight drain.

• After 2 hours, flush the G-tube with 30 cc of sterile water with a Toomey syringe. Reattach to the drainage bag. Allow the flush to drain passively in the leg bag. 

• Ensure there is no bloody return and no increased abdominal pain with flushing. 

• If the patient experiences bloody drainage or increased abdominal pain with flushing, please let the resident or attending involved in the procedure know for further instructions and orders. 

• Patients can be discharged after 2 hours if they meet the following criteria:

  • Pain level less than or equal to “baseline” pre-procedure pain. Please make sure the patient has pain medications at home available if needed.  If not, they will be provided a small amount of pain medication. The patient can take Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or home pain medication after discharge.

  • No bloody drainage after flushing

• If the above has been met, please disconnect the G-tube from the passive drainage bag and clamp the G-tube.  

• Send the patient home with another drainage setup (provide teaching on how to set up a straight drain).

• Be sure the G-tube length is marked and documented on AVS. 

• Provide discharge instructions (EPIC smartphrase).