Royal College of Physicians Releases New Report Regarding Use of Feeding Tubes for Terminally Ill Patients

According to a recent report from the Royal College of Physicians,
tube-feeding may not be the most beneficial option for feeding
terminally ill patients.

The report, which is entitled 'Oral feeding difficulties and
dilemmas: A guide to practical care, particularly towards the end of
life,' was issued by the Royal College of Physicians and the British
Society of Gastroenterology in early January in order to address the
appropriateness of feeding tubes for patients approaching the end of
life. According to the report, hand feeding, modified if necessary,
should be the primary aim of a nutrition strategy for terminally ill
patients. In addition, the report states that even in situations where
tube feeding is necessary, oral intake should be additional whenever
possible. The report also makes several other recommendations,
including the recommendation that a risk management approach be used to
evaluate all patients deemed to have "unsafe swallow." Additionally,
the authors of the report recommend that there be a clear agreement
between the parties involved regarding the aims of any nutritional
regimen.

According to the Royal Academy of Physicians, the report was
prepared to respond to the lack of consensus among physicians and others
regarding the appropriateness of artificial nutrition and hydration in
certain situations.

Laura Troshynski

www.knudsenlaw.com