Geriatric Nurses? Attitudes Towards the Use of Nasogastric Feeding-Tubes in Demented Patients

Abstract

Geriatric nurses’ attitudes towards the use of nasogastric feeding‐tubes in severely demented patients were evaluated. A questionnaire was administered to 232 geriatric nurses asking whether they would favour enteral feeding for demented patients who were unable or refused to eat. The great majority of nurses (73.3%) were favourable; previous experience with nasogastric feeding‐tubes and a moderate to high level of religiosity were both significantly associated with this attitude. For the great majority (70.6%) of those favourable the patient's mental status was immaterial to their attitude. Also irrelevant were patients’ and/or caregivers’ wishes and economic and quality of life issues. This survey suggests that the majority of nurses consider enteral feeding as an ordinary basic practice, disregarding the complexity of the problem, which needs an individualized, multifaceted approach.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG): the role and perspective of nurses

“…Our findings do not help in understanding the PEG feeding decisions that are made for patients with dementia (Hasan et al. 1995, Zanetti et al. 1996, Mitchell et al.…”

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG): the role and perspective of nurses

“…Our findings do not help in understanding the PEG feeding decisions that are made for patients with dementia (Hasan et al. 1995, Zanetti et al. 1996, Mitchell et al.…”

Nurses’ attitudes towards artificial food or fluid administration in patients with dementia and in terminally ill patients: a review of the literature

“…Proponents turned out to be significantly more religious than opponents (p = 0.04) 39 44. Furthermore, a significantly greater proportion of proponents had used feeding tubes in the six months previous to the interview (p = 0.05) 39.…”

“…Nurses tended to have a more positive than negative attitude towards administering artificial food and fluid therapy. The percentages of proponents varied widely from 18%,44 26%,42 and 51%,36 to about 73%,35 39 whereas the percentages of opponents ranged from 10%,42 and 27%35 39 to 62% 44…”

“…Furthermore, a significantly greater proportion of proponents had used feeding tubes in the six months previous to the interview (p = 0.05) 39. On the other hand, nurses with more experience in nursing-home care agreed significantly more often with the statement that a patient’s decision to refuse to eat or drink should be respected at all times 44.…”

“…Zanetti et al 39 observed very strong clinical reasons for nurses’ support of artificial food and fluid administration: in their study, 60% of the proponents indicated that prevention of pneumonia was an important reason for performing tube feeding. Tube feeding would reduce the risk of choking, thus reducing distress to the patient 41.…”

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG): the role and perspective of nurses

“…Our findings do not help in understanding the PEG feeding decisions that are made for patients with dementia (Hasan et al. 1995, Zanetti et al. 1996, Mitchell et al.…”

Nurses’ attitudes towards artificial food or fluid administration in patients with dementia and in terminally ill patients: a review of the literature

“…Proponents turned out to be significantly more religious than opponents (p = 0.04) 39 44. Furthermore, a significantly greater proportion of proponents had used feeding tubes in the six months previous to the interview (p = 0.05) 39.…”

“…Nurses tended to have a more positive than negative attitude towards administering artificial food and fluid therapy. The percentages of proponents varied widely from 18%,44 26%,42 and 51%,36 to about 73%,35 39 whereas the percentages of opponents ranged from 10%,42 and 27%35 39 to 62% 44…”

“…Furthermore, a significantly greater proportion of proponents had used feeding tubes in the six months previous to the interview (p = 0.05) 39. On the other hand, nurses with more experience in nursing-home care agreed significantly more often with the statement that a patient’s decision to refuse to eat or drink should be respected at all times 44.…”

“…Zanetti et al 39 observed very strong clinical reasons for nurses’ support of artificial food and fluid administration: in their study, 60% of the proponents indicated that prevention of pneumonia was an important reason for performing tube feeding. Tube feeding would reduce the risk of choking, thus reducing distress to the patient 41.…”

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG): the role and perspective of nurses

“…Our findings do not help in understanding the PEG feeding decisions that are made for patients with dementia (Hasan et al. 1995, Zanetti et al. 1996, Mitchell et al.…”

Nurses’ attitudes towards artificial food or fluid administration in patients with dementia and in terminally ill patients: a review of the literature

“…Proponents turned out to be significantly more religious than opponents (p = 0.04) 39 44. Furthermore, a significantly greater proportion of proponents had used feeding tubes in the six months previous to the interview (p = 0.05) 39.…”

“…Nurses tended to have a more positive than negative attitude towards administering artificial food and fluid therapy. The percentages of proponents varied widely from 18%,44 26%,42 and 51%,36 to about 73%,35 39 whereas the percentages of opponents ranged from 10%,42 and 27%35 39 to 62% 44…”

“…Furthermore, a significantly greater proportion of proponents had used feeding tubes in the six months previous to the interview (p = 0.05) 39. On the other hand, nurses with more experience in nursing-home care agreed significantly more often with the statement that a patient’s decision to refuse to eat or drink should be respected at all times 44.…”

“…Zanetti et al 39 observed very strong clinical reasons for nurses’ support of artificial food and fluid administration: in their study, 60% of the proponents indicated that prevention of pneumonia was an important reason for performing tube feeding. Tube feeding would reduce the risk of choking, thus reducing distress to the patient 41.…”