Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
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To determine whether physicians followed a hospital policy permitting them to not offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to patients considered unlikely to benefit from this therapy. ⋯ Despite a policy that allows them to do otherwise, physicians usually offered CPR to patients, regardless of benefit. Most physicians believed that CPR should be offered to all patients. These findings suggest that policies such as that of San Francisco General Hospital may not be compelling because physicians hold attitudes that are inconsistent with the policies.
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Despite the many complications and minimal benefits associated with long-term enteral nutrition in patients with advanced dementia, it is, nevertheless, a widespread practice in nursing homes throughout the United States. This paper presents a review of the literature on dementia, geriatric nutrition, and enteral feeding. There appears to be limited research to support the long-term benefits and safety of enteral nutrition in advanced dementia. Additionally, it is not yet clear that long-term enteral nutrition in advanced dementia results in an improved quality of life.