Parenteral nutrition: ethical and legal considerations.
Parenteral nutrition is an expensive therapeutic modality that is used to treat patients with intestinal failure. The benefit it offers in terms of life prolongation needs to be weighed against its risks and burdens. Through the use of descriptive clinical vignettes, this article illustrates the ethical and legal principles that underpin decisions to administer and, more importantly, to withhold or withdraw parenteral nutrition.
Sayers
G M
GM
Department of General and Geriatric Medicine, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, UK.
Lloyd
D A J
DA
Gabe
S M
SM
D026688:Bioethical Issues; D006295:Health Resources / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D008020:Life Support Care; D018447:Medical Futility; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000941:ethics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020458:Third-Party Consent; D016312:Treatment Refusal