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Artificial Hydration & Nutrition Used in Hospice Care

Artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) is technically called "medically assisted nutrition and hydration." The providing or withdrawing of ANH is an end-of-life decision which involves the hospice team and the patient or medical proxy.

  1. Identification

    • Artificial nutrition and hydration refers to the administration of food and water "by artificial means," according to Thomas Shannon and Nicholas Kockler in "An Introduction to Bioethics."

    Function

    • To provide ANH, according to Shannon and Kockler, is bioethically correct. It is seen as a means of "preserving life" and alleviating suffering.

    Significance

    • Because providing ANH is considered bioethically correct, Shannon and Kockler state that "there should be a presumption in favor of providing nutrition and hydration to all patients."

    Warning

    • However, there are three conditions under which ANH is not bioethically required; the patient's body cannot assimilate it, it causes physical discomfort, and its provision is impossible.

    Benefits

    • As Shannon and Kockler point out, religious institutions advocate ANH, in principle, in order to protect the "fundamental human dignity" of the patient.

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