Sunnyside hospital opts out of new Death With Dignity law

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- Sunnyside Community Hospital will not participate in the state's new Death With Dignity Act that takes effect next week, a decision likely to be followed by other hospitals in Yakima County.

Washington is only the second state in the country to allow physicians to write prescriptions for lethal doses of medicine for terminally ill adult patients who have competently decided to end their lives. The law passed statewide with 58 percent of the vote in the November election.

In announcing the hospital's decision Wednesday, chief exec-utive Jon Smiley said members of the board, medical personnel and local residents felt that "this act does not meet the standards of a majority of people in our community."

Smiley elaborated that the hospital has historically reflected community values by, for example, choosing not to perform abortions.

"It is in keeping with the com-munity we serve. It's conservative and a good community. We have not participated in terminations and the medical staff was not willing to participate in this," Smiley said.

He added that the defeat of the measure in Yakima County -- where residents voted 58 percent to 42 percent against Initiative 1000 -- also influenced Sunnyside's decision.

Hospitals are required to opt out of the new law or adopt state rules governing its implementation that are similar to those in Oregon, which passed a Death With Dignity Act 10 years ago.

Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center are still finalizing their decisions. The two hospitals own most of the large physician practices in Yakima, so their policies will affect the decisions of many individual doc-tors who treat terminally ill patients.

The law takes effect March 5.

Hospitals that don't participate in the act are required to notify the public. The thinking is that patients seeking to end their lives -- and who need hospitalization until they die -- should have time to find alternative care.

Physicians and administrators involved in the discussions say privately they would be surprised if either Yakima hospital agrees to fol-
low the law's guidelines. The Yakima County Medical Society didn't take a formal position on the ballot initiative but sponsored a forum opposing it. The Washington State Medical Association formally opposed the initiative but other surveys showed that doctors are deeply divided on the issue of assisted suicide.

"The physician community here for the most part is conservative on this issue, although you might find a handful of doctors who would be willing to write such a prescription if they were certain the patient was competent," said one physician, who asked not to be identified.

The law provides safeguards for patients and physicians. For example, patients would need a medical opinion from two doctors verifying that they have less than six months to live. Physicians who prescribe the medicine and follow the rules would be protected from legal prosecution for promoting or participating in a suicide.

Although Sunnyside Community Hospital has decided not to parti-cipate, health care providers who practice at the hospital may assist terminal patients independently, outside the hospital.

But a physician who acts within his or her role as a staff member in violation of the hospital's policy could face sanctions, such as the loss of medical staff privileges and leased office space.

Smiley said the hospital's decision isn't designed to limit discussions with patients or withhold information from them. Patients who want to proceed with the option will be transferred.

"Any Sunnyside Community Hospital patient wishing to receive life-ending medication will be assisted in transfer to another facility of the patient's choice," he said. "The transfer will assure continuity of care."

At least 20 of the 98 hospitals statewide have opted out of participating in the law. So far in the Seattle area, the University of Washington Medicine health system and Group Health Cooperative have decided to give patients the option of participating in the new law.

Kittitas Valley Community Hospital in Ellensburg hasn't made a decision yet, officials said. The board of trustees for Prosser Memorial Hospital, a public hospital district, meets tonight on the matter, said spokesman Jason Jones.

* Leah Beth Ward can be reached at 577-7626 or lward@yakimaherald.com.

Death with Dignity law
? What’s required for a terminally ill patient to receive a prescription for a lethal dose of drugs:
• Two oral requests and one written request from patient
• Two physicians to diagnose patient and determine competency
• A 15-day waiting period prior to providing prescription
• Physician verification of informed patient decision
• Patient must have opportunity to rescind
• Only patient may administer drugs