Oregons Death with Dignity Act

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Oregons 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.

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Physician-Assisted Suicidevs. Euthanasia

• How is the lethal medication administered?
• Self-administered by patient physician-assisted
  suicide
• By third party euthanasia

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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

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Patient Demographics

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

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Role of the Department of Human Services

• Collect data on participation in the Act
• Compile an annual report

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Vital Records Responsibilities

• Collect data
• Design instruments
• Create and maintain computer files
• Data analysis
• Report writing

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State Registrar is notified when

• Lethal prescription is written
• Written request from patient
• Attending Physician Compliance Form
• Consulting Physician Compliance Form
• Psychiatric/Psychological Consultants Compliance
  Form (optional)
• Medication is dispensed
• Pharmacy Dispensing Form

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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

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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

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The Future

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

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Quick Facts - Staffing

• 1 Research Analyst (.25 FTE)
• 1 Medical Epidemiologist (.05 FTE)
• 1 Executive Support Specialist (.05 FTE)

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Quick Facts - Funding

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

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Want more information?

• Check our website
• http//www.dhs.state.or.us/
• publichealth/chs/pas/pas.cfm
• Contact Darcy Niemeyer
• [phone]
• darcy.niemeyer_at_state.or.us