Enteral Feeding and Stoma Care training
This training gives you the knowledge to safely deliver nutrition, fluids and medication through feeding tubes and care for stoma sites for people who cannot eat or drink by mouth. It covers the different tube types, how to check tube position, give feeds safely, care for the stoma, give medicines through the tube and recognise complications. This is the knowledge part of your competency; you must also complete a practical assessment with a registered professional before you can give feeds in practice.
What This Training Covers
A clear, practical grounding in enteral feeding and stoma care.
This training gives you the knowledge to safely deliver nutrition, fluids and medication through feeding tubes and care for stoma sites for people who cannot eat or drink by mouth. It covers the different tube types, how to check tube position, give feeds safely, care for the stoma, give medicines through the tube and recognise complications. This is the knowledge part of your competency; you must also complete a practical assessment with a registered professional before you can give feeds in practice.
Learning Outcomes
By the end, your staff will be able to:
What Your Team Will Learn
A closer look at the enteral feeding and stoma care module.
The module is built in short, practical sections. Each one teaches a part of the topic, then applies it to a real care scenario and checks understanding before moving on.
Why People Need Tube Feeding
Some people cannot eat or drink safely by mouth because of swallowing difficulties, neurological conditions, or other medical reasons. Without tube feeding they would become malnourished, dehydrated and unable to take their medicines. Enteral feeding delivers nutrition, fluids and medication directly into the digestive system through a tube, keeping the person nourished and safe. Your role is to deliver this feeding exactly as prescribed by the dietitian and signed off in the person's care plan.
Types of Feeding Tubes
Nasogastric tubes go through the nose into the stomach and are used for short term feeding. Gastrostomy tubes go directly through the abdominal wall into the stomach and include PEG tubes and balloon button devices; these are for longer term feeding. Jejunostomy tubes go into the small intestine. Each person's tube type, size and feeding method is specific to them. You must be signed off as competent for each individual person you support, working to their exact tube and regimen.
Checking Nasogastric Tube Position
Before every feed and every medicine given through a nasogastric tube, you must check the tube is still in the stomach, not the lungs. Draw back a small amount of stomach contents using a syringe, then test it with pH indicator paper. The pH must be 5.5 or below to be safe. If you cannot get aspirate or the pH is above 5.5, do not give the feed or medicine. Stop and get help from the registered nurse or clinical team. Never use unsafe methods like listening with a stethoscope or blowing air down the tube. Getting this wrong can kill someone.
Setting Up and Giving a Feed Safely
Always wash your hands and use clean technique when handling feeding equipment. Check the feed is the correct type, in date and stored properly. Set up the feeding pump or gravity set according to the manufacturer's instructions and the person's care plan. Position the person sitting upright or at least 30 degrees to reduce aspiration risk. Give the feed at the prescribed rate and volume. Flush the tube with the correct amount of water before and after the feed to keep it clear. Stay with the person and monitor them during the feed.
Caring for the Stoma Site
A gastrostomy or jejunostomy stoma is where the tube enters the body through the abdominal wall. Clean around the stoma daily with warm water and dry it gently. Check for redness, swelling, discharge, bleeding, leakage of feed or overgranulation. Rotate the tube gently if the care plan says to. For balloon devices, check the water in the balloon weekly as prescribed. Report any changes or concerns immediately. Good stoma care prevents infection and skin breakdown. The person may feel self-conscious about their stoma, so always maintain their dignity and privacy.
Giving Medicines Through the Tube
Medicines given through a feeding tube must be in the right form, usually liquid or dispersible tablets crushed and mixed with water. Never put whole tablets or capsules down the tube as they will block it. Flush the tube with water before and after each medicine. Give medicines separately, flushing between each one, not mixed together. Only give medicines prescribed to go via the tube and follow the care plan exactly. If you are unsure about any medicine, stop and check with the nurse or pharmacist. Poor medicine administration can block the tube or mean the person does not get their treatment.
Recognising and Responding to Complications
Know the signs of problems and what to do. A blocked tube may show as the pump alarming, resistance when flushing or feed not flowing; try warm water flushes but call for help if it does not clear. If the tube falls out, this is an emergency because the stoma can close within hours; cover the site, keep the tube safe and call the clinical team immediately. Signs of aspiration include coughing, choking, breathing changes or chest infection; stop the feed and get urgent help. Vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal pain may mean the feed is not being tolerated; stop and report. Always know your limits and when to escalate.
Infection Prevention and Equipment Management
Always wash your hands before and after any contact with feeding equipment or the stoma. Use clean technique when handling syringes, giving sets and feed. Change giving sets according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually every 24 hours. Use the correct water for flushes, usually cooled boiled water or sterile water as specified in the care plan. Store feed as instructed, refrigerate if needed and discard opened feed within the safe time. Keep a spare tube or device in the care setting in case of emergency. Clean and store equipment properly. Good infection control protects the person from serious infections.
Key Points Covered
The things your team must remember.
- Competency for enteral feeding is person specific; you must be signed off by a registered professional for each individual you support
- Always check nasogastric tube position with pH paper before every feed and medicine; pH must be 5.5 or below
- Position the person upright during feeds, monitor them closely and stop if they show signs the feed is not being tolerated
- Check the stoma site daily for infection, leakage or skin problems and report any changes immediately
- Give medicines in the correct form with proper flushing; never crush slow release tablets or put whole tablets down the tube
- If the tube falls out, this is an emergency; if you cannot get safe aspirate, or if there are signs of aspiration or other complications, stop and get help immediately
Who and how often
Enteral Feeding and Stoma Care is refreshed every year, for the staff in your care setting whose roles require it. It includes a practical sign-off.
CQC and standards
Supports the training evidence CQC expects to see for a well-run, safe care setting.
How CareStream Delivers It
Not a slideshow once a year. Training that sticks.
CareStream delivers enteral feeding and stoma care training in the hub your team already uses, grounded in best practice and your own policies, so it fits your care setting and not a generic template.
Teach, then assess
Short teaching sections and a real care scenario, then an assessment that checks understanding.
In any language
Staff complete it in over 60 languages, while your records stay in English.
Learn and retry
A wrong answer triggers a short follow-up lesson and a fresh question, so the gap is closed.
Renewals handled
Automatic reminders at 90, 30 and 7 days, with a live compliance dashboard.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions.
Give your team enteral feeding and stoma care training that actually sticks.
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