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Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act

Oregon’s Death with Dignity 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 Suicide vs. Euthanasia. How is the lethal medication administered?

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Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act

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  1. 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.

  2. Physician-Assisted Suicidevs. Euthanasia How is the lethal medication administered? • Self-administered by patient = physician-assisted suicide • By third party = euthanasia

  3. Who can participatein the Act? • Oregon residents • Adults (18 years of age or older) • Diagnosed with a terminal illness • Prognosis of death within 6 months • Able to make and communicate health care decisions on own behalf

  4. Patient Demographics • Equally likely to be male or female • Median age 70 years • White • High school graduate or higher education • Divorced or never married

  5. Role of the Department of Human Services • Collect data on participation in the Act • Compile an annual report

  6. Vital Records Responsibilities • Collect data • Design instruments • Create and maintain computer files • Data analysis • Report writing

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. The Future • Ashcroft case may go on to U.S. Supreme Court • Other states will probably consider whether to pass similar laws for themselves

  11. Quick Facts - Staffing • 1 Research Analyst (.25 FTE) • 1 Medical Epidemiologist (.05 FTE) • 1 Executive Support Specialist (.05 FTE)

  12. Quick Facts - Funding • Annual Budget - $0 • The Death with Dignity Act is an unfunded mandate • Est. cost per year in staff time - $18,850

  13. Want more information? Check our website: http://www.dhs.state.or.us/ publichealth/chs/pas/pas.cfm Contact Darcy Niemeyer: • (503) 731-4023 • darcy.niemeyer@state.or.us

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