A.S.P.E.N. Ethics Position Paper

Ethical Decisions for Withholding/Withdrawing Medically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration

“…have developed practice and position papers, ethics columns, and a special report dealing with ethical decision making for medically assisted nutrition. 5,6,9,11,[18][19][20] Figure 1 depicts the process RDNs should use to apply the Academy/CDR Code of Ethics to ethical decisions for withholding/withdrawing medically assisted nutrition and hydration.…”

“…for ethical issues of feeding and hydration. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] For millions of Americans who work in health care, including RDNs, providing high-quality care for people who are nearing the end of life is a matter of professional commitment and responsibility. A substantial body of evidence shows that broad improvements by professional societies, health care delivery organizations, and health care professionals regarding end-of-life care are within reach.…”

“…Professional education and development.Practices dietetics based on evidence-based principles and current information; presents reliable and substantial information and interprets controversial information.A.S.P.E.N. ethics position paper, 2010 9. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Ethical and legal issues of feeding and hydration, 2013 5.…”

National Healthcare Decisions Day

“…The importance of advance care planning in ethical decision making for nutrition support is well documented. [2][3][4][5][6] Nutrition support clinicians are involved in identifying the need for enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN), ordering therapy, administering formulas and solutions, and evaluating and monitoring nutrition therapy. Yet, without appropriate advance care planning, there is a chance that this therapy may not be desired by the individual and is given against his or her wishes.…”

Artificial nutrition and hydration

“…However, little data is found in the English literature about religious and cultural attitudes regarding the ethics of withholding and withdrawing artificial nutrition and hydration, apart from Jewish and Catholic perspectives. 14,15 The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) discouraged forcing the sick to take food or drink. However, Muslim families tend to express great concern when the nutritional intake of a patient is jeopardized.…”