[UK] Does non-beneficial nasogastric tube feeding occur during end-of-life care? An audit of outcomes for those with a malnutrition universal screening tool score of 2

[UK] Does non-beneficial nasogastric tube feeding occur during end-of-life care? An audit of outcomes for those with a malnutrition universal screening tool score of 2
Journal of Palliative Medicine; by Ross Andrew James Webster, Moitree Banerjee, Rachel King, Rosana Pacella, Antonina Pereira; 8/25
The consideration of artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) is recommended for individuals with reduced nutritional intake. However, placing long-term nonoral feeding tubes is not appropriate in those with advanced dementia or if the individual is likely to die imminently—“within hours or days”. In some instances, the provision of ANH in the weeks leading up to death may be considered a “Non-Beneficial Treatment.” In [this study a] total [of] 40 (47.6%) of 84 NGT [nasogastric tube]-flagged individuals were deceased within six months. Conclusions: NGT insertions in this cohort have a high likelihood of being considered “non-beneficial.”