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SAMARITAN HOSPITAL WILL NOT PARTICIPATE
IN
THE DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT
March 4, 2009
Washington’s voters adopted, in the elections of last November, Initiative 1000 entitled the “Death with Dignity Act”.
This new law goes into effect on March 4, 2009, and applies to terminally ill, competent, adult Washington residents
medically predicted to die within six months. It allows these people to request and self-administer lethal medication
prescribed by a physician. The measure requires two oral and one written requests, two physicians to diagnose the patient
and determine the patient is competent, a waiting period, and physician verification of an informed patient decision.
The patient must have the opportunity to rescind his or her request. Only the patient may administer the drugs to him
or herself. Physicians, patients and others acting in good faith compliance have criminal and civil immunity.
Under the Act, only "willing health care providers" should participate in the provision of life-ending medication to a
patient who meets the requirements of the law. "Health care providers" includes hospitals.
Samaritan Hospital has chosen to not participate under the ‘Washington State Death with Dignity Act.’ This means that
Samaritan’s physicians, employees, independent contractors and volunteers shall not assist a patient in ending the
patient’s life. In addition, no provider may conduct such activities on the premises of the hospital or in property
owned by the hospital.
Samaritan 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 will be assisted in transfer to another facility of the patient’s
choice. The transfer will assure continuity of care.
Questions about Samaritan’s policy should be directed to Samaritan’s Administration Department at (509) 793-9600.
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| © 2009 Samaritan Healthcare • 801 E. Wheeler Rd. • Moses Lake, WA 98837 • 509-765-5606 |
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