oregon’s death with dignity act allows terminally ill oregon residents to obtain prescriptions for...
TRANSCRIPT
Oregon’s Death withDignity Act
Allows terminally ill Oregon residents to obtain prescriptions for self-administered, lethal medications from their physicians and use it to hasten their deaths.
Physician-Assisted Suicidevs. Euthanasia
How is the lethal medication administered?
Self-administered by patient = physician-assisted suicide
By third party = euthanasia
Who can participatein the Act?
Oregon residentsAdults (18 years of age or older)Diagnosed with a terminal illness• Prognosis of death within 6 monthsAble to make and communicate health care
decisions on own behalf
Number of Prescriptions Written vs. Deaths From Physician Assisted
Suicide
01020304050607080
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Deaths
Prescriptions
Patient Demographics• Equally likely to be male or female• Median age 70 years• White• High school graduate or higher education• Divorced or never married
DWD Deaths by Underlying Illness
0
50
100
150
Underlying Illness
Cancer
ALS
Lower Resp.
HIV/AIDS
Other
Role of the Department of Human Services
• Collect data on participation in the Act
• Compile an annual report
Vital Records Responsibilities
• Collect data• Design instruments• Create and maintain computer files• Data analysis• Report writing
State Registrar is notified when:
Lethal prescription is written– Written request from patient– Attending Physician Compliance Form– Consulting Physician Compliance Form– Psychiatric/Psychological Consultant’s Compliance
Form (optional)
• Medication is dispensed– Pharmacy Dispensing Form
Additional Contacts• Internal Data Collection Instruments
– DWDA Active File created– Chronology and Death Certificate Extract Form– Physician interview form
• Phone contact(s)• Contacts to advocacy groups
Confidentiality• Identifying information about participating
patients and physicians is confidential• Every year, physician information is stripped
from the electronic files• Only two documents are retained – all other
records are destroyed
The Future• Ashcroft case may go on to U.S. Supreme
Court
• Other states will probably consider whether to pass similar laws for themselves
Quick Facts - Staffing• 1 Research Analyst (.25 FTE)
• 1 Medical Epidemiologist (.05 FTE)
• 1 Executive Support Specialist (.05 FTE)
Quick Facts - Funding• Annual Budget - $0
• The Death with Dignity Act is an unfunded mandate
• Est. cost per year in staff time - $18,850
Want more information?
Check our website: http://www.dhs.state.or.us/
publichealth/chs/pas/pas.cfm
Contact Darcy Niemeyer:– (503) 731-4023– [email protected]