Allocation of feeding pumps: an ethical question
Bell, S.J.; Braunstein, N.S.; Lavoie, C.A.; Saunders, E.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 85(6): 697-699
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 3923083 Document Number: 246813
Situations arise in clinical practice that force dietitians to make a moral/ethical decision. This article demonstrates how a nutrition support dietitian determines which two of seven patients in need of an enteral feeding pump should receive one. To solve this complex ethical problem, the authors discuss use of the Standards of Professional Responsibility of The American Dietetic Association and the Four-Step Process of Moral Judgement and Action of Purtilo and Cassel. (author)