Can a terminally ill patient refuse a feeding tube?
The technical term for a “feeding tube” is “artificial nutrition and hydration” in which food and water are provided by alternate means to a patient unable to eat and drink by mouth. The provision of food and water is not considered medical treatment but basic comfort care. However, the feeding of a dying patient may not be in the patient’s best interest if the patient’s death is imminent or if the patient is unable to assimilate the nutrition. Nonetheless, water should always be offered. A feeding tube may be temporary if inserted through the nose to the stomach for medicines, hydration, and nutrition. Long term tube feedings requires a tube being surgically placed through the abdomen into the stomach. “There should be a presumption in favor of providing nutrition and hydration to all patients, including patients who require medically assisted nutrition and hydration, as long as this is of sufficient benefit to outweigh the burdens involved to the patient.
