Southwest Supports Patient Options for End-of-Life Care
02/23/2009
The recent passage of Initiative 1000, the 'Washington State Death with Dignity Act', has raised many questions for physicians, pharmacists, counselors, and hospitals statewide.
'After careful, thoughtful conversations with our medical staff, board of trustees, employees and members of the community, Southwest has chosen to not participate under the ‘Washington State Death with Dignity Act.' This means that Southwest physicians, employees, independent contractors and volunteers shall not assist a patient in ending the patient's life. In addition, no provider may participate on the premises of the hospital or in property owned by the hospital,' said Marc Berg, director, Hospice/Homecare.
The Death with Dignity Act ('Act') is clear that no provider, including the Medical Center, is required to assist a qualified patient in ending his or her own life. Hospitals that do not allow participation are required to provide public notice. Providers may independently contract outside their role with Southwest to participate in the Act, off hospital premises.
The hospital will continue to provide compassionate, high quality care to all our patients. Any patient wishing to receive life-ending medication while a patient at this hospital or other Southwest facilities, will be assisted in transferring to another facility of the patient's choice. The transfer will assure continuity of care.
All providers at Southwest will respond to any patient's query about life-ending medication with openness and compassion. Southwest 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 palliative care, hospice, and pain control. 'Ultimately, Southwest's goal is to help patients make informed decisions about end-of-life care,' said Berg.
Hospice Southwest and Bridges Palliative Care
Hospice Southwest, a program of Southwest Washington Medical Center, provides care for the terminally ill and their families in their own homes, adult family care homes and extended care facilities. In addition, the Ray Hickey Hospice House bridges the gap between home and traditional inpatient care for hospice patients offering a home-like environment where loved ones may receive end-of-life care. At Hospice Southwest, a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and volunteers works in partnership with the patient's physician, to provide pain and symptom management, medical treatment and emotional and spiritual support. Hospice Southwest also offers a full array of bereavement programs for children and adults alike through the Stepping Stones Grief and Bereavement Center at Southwest's Memorial Health Center. Bridges Palliative Care offers assistance to patients and their families when active, progressive disease is present and the focus is on quality of life. Bridges focuses on helping the patient adjust to each transition and make the best informed decisions through out their journey. #
