Mr. H. is a 90 year old severely demented person who has required PEG
feeding. Over the last several months he has pulled out the PEG on 6
occasions. All this time in order to try to secure the PEG he required
abdominal and hand restraints. Nevertheless, he succeeded in pulling out
the PEGS. The family strongly feels that a PEG feeding must be monitored.
The physicians feel that the fact that this patient pulled out the PEG is
an indication by the patient that he does not want this procedure done.
The Staff feels it is inhumane to keep a patient tied up in this way to
forced feed him. What is the halachic position?
