Allenmore Hospital

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Contact:
Jennifer Aalgaard, 253.219.1715
jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org

PIERCE COUNTY, WA- The passage of Initiative 1000, the “Washington State Death with Dignity Act”, has raised many questions for physicians, pharmacists, counselors and hospital staff statewide.

MultiCare Health System recognizes patient and physician autonomy in making health care decisions. MultiCare has discussed I-1000 internally and has chosen not to prohibit individual physicians from engaging in actions under I-1000 within their physician practices and offices. It is both a provider and a patient choice as to whether to participate in I-1000 activities.

However, MultiCare has decided that patients admitted to our acute care facilities; Allenmore, Tacoma General and Good Samaritan Hospitals, who might otherwise be “qualified patients” under I-1000, should not ingest life-ending medications within those facilities. Due to the right for any health care provider to opt-out of participating in I-1000, our hospitals are not able to logistically provide staffing should a patient elect to participate. No MultiCare staff will be required to participate in any activities related to I-1000.

MultiCare will work with its entire care team to ensure that all patients are fully informed of their rights and options available to them as they relate to end-stage disease and care management. Where appropriate, referrals to other community providers will be made if requested by patients whose needs cannot be met within MultiCare Health System.