Samaritan declines participation in I-1000

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare will not participate in the Death with Dignity Act, CEO John White announced.

“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,” White stated. “The transfer will assure continuity of care.”

Under the Death with Dignity Act, created by voter approval of Initiative 1000, patients with a maximum of six months to live may seek lethal medication in Washington. The medication is provided by physicians but self-administered.

The act stipulates only willing hospitals should participate, according to the Washington State Hospital Association.

“Samaritan Hospital has chosen not to participate under the (act),” White stated. “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.”

Hospital association Vice President of Communications Cassie Sauer said the act does not specify what medication is to be used for a lethal dose.

In Oregon, metoclopramide is typically used to treat vomiting in a patient ending their life, Sauer said.

“The medication that ends the patient’s life is secobarbital or pentobarbital,” she said.

According to the hospital association, hospitals electing not to participate are required to inform the public of the decision.

“Every hospital needs to declare if they’re going to participate in the act or not,” said Samaritan Vice President of Marketing, Planning and Development Scott Campbell.

For more information, call Samaritan Healthcare’s Administration Department at 509-793-9600.