Ethics of feeding tube

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Is it ethical to place a feeding tube in a patient/resident of a LTC because it takes 2 hours per meal to feed the person? The person has no physical problem, is just very slow at eating, can swallow safely. Also, there is no health problem or weight loss. Are there alternatives or is this a defenite no brainer that I can't see?

Thanks

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I find it unbelievable that anyone would ask or even consider putting a Gtube in because the person took 2 hours to eat! Borders on assault. Call the OT department and get an eval for self feeding. If that fails how about full liquids...hical drinks...ice cream....

I find it unbelievable that anyone would ask or even consider putting a Gtube in because the person took 2 hours to eat! Borders on assault. Call the OT department and get an eval for self feeding. If that fails how about full liquids...hical drinks...ice cream....

Just reminding everyone this is a discussion for an ethics course,but it is from a true situation.

we have had residents in different facilities and in home care in which a patient had a g-tube and was fed and if a certain % of meal is not eaten [usually less than 50%] than a supplemental feeding was given..

if it takes two hours to eat a meal it passes from pleasure to a chore...three meals a day can take one on one aide when you consider their breaks etc who is taking care of the other residents....

i am not taking the side of putting a tube indiscriminately w/o good cause but be realistic .. would you like to sit and have someone shove spoonfuls of food for two hours 3x daily

if the patient is able to make a decision put the pluses and minus to him and let him make a decision about which would give him quality of life..

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