Ethics unit 3

ADL includes

Bathing, toileting, dressing, feeding self

IADL includes

Light housework, meal prep, managing finances, running errands

Purpose of palliative care programs for elderly

Support dignity

Provide access to support staff

Hospital readmissions if needed

Independence in managing chronic illness

Monitor the elderly as they progress in their illness

At risk behavior vs reckless behavior

At risk = cutting small corners, aware of correct procedure. E.g. giving all NG meds at once to save time

Reckless behavior = large intentional errors, can lead to harm. E.g. ignoring time-out during OR

Systemic error in healthcare

systemic, preventable breakdowns in facility processes, rather than individual mistakes, that can lead to patient harm

Ethics and artificial nutrition and hydration

Food and fluids End-of-life

• Dehydration eases the discomfort of terminal illness.

• Artificial hydration can add to the discomfort in the long run.

• Tube feeding adds to the discomfort of the dying and does not have evidence for survival in EOL patients

• Food and fluids are often decreased in end stages without thirst or hunger
• Research shows there is no clinical benefit to nutritional support at the end of life for cancer patients