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Extending the Life of Your Kangaroo Joey and ePump Feeding Bags

**Update 5.18.20** This blog was originally published in October of 2019, while the shortage is still underway, PHS has been able to transition many of our patients from Joey and ePump bags to infinity bags. If you are a PHS patient and are unsure of the plan for your feeding supplies, please contact our customer service team (800-225-7477) to ensure we have a plan in place that provides you with continued access to feeding supplies. For all other patients, we recommend you work with your DME provider to come up with a plan given the limitations in access to Kangaroo™ Joey and ePump bags into the foreseeable future.

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PHS has been helping patients deal with an issue regarding the distribution of Kangaroo Joey and ePump feeding bags. In a letter from Cardinal Health, manufacturer of these products, they shared that Kangaroo Joey and ePump feeding bags are currently available in limited quantities and PHS expects to receive a small number of feeding bags each month.

You can read a letter we received from Cardinal Health below:

You can watch a video we have since received from Cardinal Health below:

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To ensure we can serve as many patients as possible during this shortage, PHS must temporarily limit the Kangaroo Joey and ePump feeding bags you can order to four each month. During this period, please follow the directions below to clean and reuse the feeding bag. Call PHS if you are unable to reuse a feeding bag. You can also find these instructions in PDF format here.

*Note: To extend life of feeding bag, do not remove bag from pump between feedings. Store pump and attached bag in refrigerator. 

Cleaning a Joey or ePump Feeding Bag

1. 

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Disconnect feeding bag and feeding bag tubing from feeding tube extension.

2. 

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Fill feeding bag with warm water. Press prime button to flush water through  feeding bag tubing into sink or empty container.

3. 

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Fill feeding bag with cold water. Press prime button to flush water through  feeding bag tubing into sink or empty container.

4. 

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Store pump with feeding bag attached in closed plastic bag. Place bag in  refrigerator between feedings.

5. 

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Replace feeding bag if it looks dirty after thorough cleaning or if it no longer works with the food pump.

Using a Gravity Feeding Bag, Syringe, or Different Food Pump

Ask your doctor or PHS clinicians whether gravity bag or syringe feedings could work for your child. Go to PHSTIPS.com and click on Nutrition then on Bolus Feedings. Watch the videos on using a gravity feeding bag or a syringe to feed your child.

Contact PHS if you cannot use gravity bag or syringe feedings with your child. We may be able to provide a different kind of food pump.

Originally published: June 13, 2019