[Dysphagia] Ethical Issues

[LiWalsh at serha.ca (Walsh, Linda (R1SE))]

Hi Paula,
I have been interested to read the responses to your ethical case
regarding C, the pt with a PEG who wishes to eat orally but every time
he does he develops a chest infection.  I agree that we should respect a
pt's wishes if the pt is competent to make his own choices and has been
given the information to make an informed choice.  I have had pts who
decide to take food/liquid orally against my advice and if they have
made an informed choice, I respect their right to continue oral intake
or to have family feed them orally.
I think it gets a lot more complicated when pts cannot feed themselves.
How do we respect a pt's rights and at the same time respond to feeding
staff who wish to "above all, do no harm" to pts?  Feeding staff find it
very stressful when they are expected to feed a pt knowing that oral
feeding will likely result in a worsening of the pt's medical condition.
I would be interested to hear any comments on this dilemma.
Linda
 
-------------- next part --------------
----- SERHA Disclaimer -----

This electronic transmission and any accompanying attachments may contain priviledged or confidential information intended only for the use of the individual or organization named above. Any distribution, copying or action taken in reliance on the contents of this communication by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. 

If you have received this communication in error please notify the sender at the above e-mail address and delete this e-mail immediately.

Thank you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cette communication ?lectronique et toute pi?ce jointe peuvent contenir de l'information de nature privil?gi?e ou confidentielle et sont strictement r?serv?es ? l'usage du destinataire vis? et identifi? ci-dessus. Si vous n'?tes pas le destinataire vis?, prenez avis que toute distribution, reproduction ou mesure fond?e sur l'information qui y est contenue est EXPRESS?MENT INTERDITE.

Si vous avez re?u cette communication par erreur, veuillez en aviser imm?diatement l'exp?diteur par courriel (? l'adresse ?lectronique mentionn?e ci-dessus) et supprimer le message d'origine.

Merci.