In order to reduce the risk of infections from enteral feeding, it is essential to follow some simple advice to keep everything clean. 

Storage and preparation of feeds

  • Unopened feed, giving sets and syringes should be stored in a clean, cool, dry place away from a heat source, and check they are clean prior to use
  • Feed expiry dates must be checked before use. Rotate stock to ensure this.

Administration of feeds

  • Wash hands well prior to setting up or disconnecting a feed
  • Gather all the equipment and items that you will need before you start
  • Use a non-touch aseptic technique to ensure minimal handling of all feeding equipment
  • If the feed requires decanting, reconstituting or diluting, a clean work area should be prepared, and equipment dedicated for enteral feed use only should be used. Ensure this equipment is thoroughly washed and dried before use. Make up feeds using cooled, freshly boiled tap water
  • Before opening, the outside surface of bottles, cans or cartons should be wiped clean if necessary
  • Once the giving set is affixed to the bottle or container of feed it should not be disconnected.  If feeding needs to stop disconnect the gastrostomy, clamp and store the feed bag and giving set still fixed together
  • Water, medication or other substances must not be added directly into the feed container
  • Keep within recommended hanging times for feeds.  This is 24hours for a ready to hang bag, or 4 hours for a decanted or powdered feed unless advised otherwise
  • Most giving sets are for single use and should be discarded after use.  Containers can be single use or reused. Please follow advice given
  • Syringes are reusable but should be cleaned thoroughly by washing in hot, soapy water, rinsed and then left to air dry
  • Extension sets needed for feeding with a low profile gastrostomy (button) can be reused for 2 weeks. Disconnect after use and clean by washing thoroughly in hot, soapy water. Rinse before leaving to air dry and store in a closed container.

Flushing the feeding tube

The tube must be flushed with clean, freshly drawn tap water before and after feeding and before, between and after administration of medication. For jejunostomy tubes and if immunosuppressed use cooled freshly boiled tap water.

Care of equipment

The pump (if used) should be cleaned regularly according to manufacturer's guidelines while in use.

Each pump is labelled with a date for its next service. Contact Fresenius Kabi on 0808 100 1990 to arrange service of pump.

When pump is no longer in use contact Fresenius Kabi on 0808 100 1990 to arrange collection of the clean pump and drip stand.

If you would like this information in another format, for example large print or easy read, or if you need help communicating with us, please contact:

First Community (Head Office)

Call: 01737 775450 Email:    fchc.enquiries@nhs.net    Text: 07814 639034

Address: First Community Health and Care, Consort House, 5-7 Queensway, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1YB.

For office use only: Version 4 GU_TS003 Publication date: May 2026