A hydrophilic dressing device for use with a gastrostomy tube. The device
has a disc-shaped configuration with a central opening. A radial cut
extends from the central opening to a peripheral edge of the device to
create a pair of opposed free ends that are releasably attachable to one
another to facilitate attachment of the device around the tube. The device
is positioned in overlying relation to the patient's skin to absorb
leaking bodily fluids and prevent skin irritation. The core of the device
is a hydrophilic material such as hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The core
is covered by nylon because the open mesh structure of nylon allows the
fluids to be absorbed by the core material and because nylon does not
stick to the patient's skin. The device is washable in a residential
washing machine and can be re-used indefinitely.
