Death with Dignity Policy - Initiative 1000
WASHINGTON DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT INITIATIVE 1000 - WAC 246-978 PROVIDERS MAY CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE
As provided for by the approval of the North Valley Hospital Board of Commissioners in Resolution 402 signed on March 26, 2009; North Valley Hospital allows its providers to participate in the "Washington State Death with Dignity Act." if they so choose.
This means providers at North Valley Hospital may:
- Perform the duties of an attending physician;
- Perform the duties of a consulting physician;
- Prescribe life-ending medication;
- Fill a prescription for life-ending medication;
- Provide counseling in connection with the provision of life-ending medication; and/or
- Perform other duties as provided for in the Act.
If any North Valley Hospital provider participates in the "Washington State Death with Dignity Act" with a patient of this hospital, that provider must immediately notify North Valley Hospital Administrator. It is the provider's responsibility to ensure the correct procedures are followed and the correct documentation is ccompleted in accordance with the Act and hospital policy. The steps included in the attached checklist should be followed carefully and documented appropriately.
Hospital administration may provide oversight and may review records to the extent necessary to ensure all the safegauds of the law have been followed and the required documentation c ompleted and submitted to the Department of Health.
North Valley Hospital does not mandate that any provider participate in the "Washington State Death with Dignity Act," nor encourage any provider to do so. Only those providers who are willing and desire to participate should do so.
While participating in the act, any provider at North Valley Hospital must ensure the appropriate standard of care is followed.
All providers at North Valley Hospital are expected to respond to any patient's query about life-ending medication with openness and compassion. North Valley Hospital believes our providers have an obligation to openly discuss the patient's concerns, unmet needs, feelings, and desires about the dying process. Providers should seek to learn the meaning behind the patient's questions and help the patient understand the range of available options, including but not limited to comfort care, hospice care, and pain control. Ultimately, North Valley Hospital's goal is to help patients make informed decisions about end-of-life care.
Laws/Regulations:
Initiative 1000/Washington Death with Dignity Act Washington State Department of Health Regulations Chapter 246-978 WAC
Reference Materials:
The Oregon Death with Dignity Act: A guidebook for Health Care Professionals