Tube Talk
Thank you to everyone who sent material for the "Tube Talk" column. Anyone who is interested in participating can send their tips, questions and thoughts about tube feeding to: Tube Talk, c/o The Oley Foundation, 214 Hun Memorial MC-28, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208; or E-mail DahlR@mail.amc.edu. Information shared in this column represents the experience of that individual and should not imply endorsement by the Oley Foundation. The Foundation strongly encourages readers to discuss any suggestions with their physician and/or wound care nurse before making any changes in their care.
I wanted to tell others who feed by tube or like me, care for someone who does, about the Lopez Valve. At the end of my husband’s tube we have a Lopez Valve: a dial with the little arrows that allows us to easily open and close access to his tube.
It is so convenient and leaves less mess to clean up — especially when administering medications. In the morning I flush his tube with 50cc water, switch the valve off while I fill the syringe with the first medicine, insert the syringe, turn the switch back on. When that is done, I turn it off again and do another 50cc water, the next meds, and finish with more water, before reconnecting him to the feeding tube.
— Herta Tompkins
ht838@earthlink.net