Ethics of Supplemental Feeding

Question 1

What is Mental Incapacity?

Answer 1

Incapable of:

• Acting
• Making decisions
• Communicating decisions
• Understanding decisions
• Retaining the memory of decisions

Question 2

How do you deal with patients with incapacity?

Answer 2

If emergency treat emergency first.
Rest of treatment you have to assess if the person is incapable.
If yes ask friends or family.
If they aren’t around you must complete a incapacity form

If friends and family disagree you may have to take issues to court

Question 3

Is there any difference ethically with not starting a treatment and removing a treatment?

Answer 3

No.
Treatments should not be withheld if you face an issue with removing later.
(e.g. Fit the NG tube if it doesn’t work take it out)

Question 4

What constitutes basic care?

Answer 4

Procedures essential to keep the patient comfortable.
Treat pain, warmth, shelter, manage distress, hygiene mesures, nutrition and hydration.

These should not be withdrawn. may be refused