A look at Washington's `Death with Dignity' law

Washington state's "Death with Dignity" law, similar to Oregon law, requires that to qualify for a lethal prescription, a patient must:

-Be at least 18, declared mentally competent, and a resident of Washington state.

-Have been determined by the attending physician and another, consulting physician, to have a terminal disease from which they will die within six months. A person does not qualify solely because of age or disability.

-Make an oral and written request, signed and dated by the patient and witnessed by two other people. One witness must not be a relative of the patient, entitled to the patient's estate, anyone linked to a health facility where the patient is being treated or is a resident, or the attending physician.

-Repeat the oral request to the attending physician at least 15 days after making the initial oral request. The patient can rescind the request at any time. There must be at least two days between when the patient signs the written request and when the prescription is written.

Once a request is made, the attending physician:

-Determines whether the patient is competent and made the request voluntarily.

-Informs the patient of other alternatives, such as hospice care and pain control.

-Refers the patient to another physician for confirmation of the terminal diagnosis and to ensure the patient is competent and acting voluntarily.

-Recommends the patient for counseling if either the attending or consulting physician believes the patient has a psychiatric or psychological disorder or depression.

-Recommends that the patient notify next of kin, though the patient is not required to do so to receive the prescription.

-Dispenses medication directly or, with the patient's consent, contacts a pharmacist to fill the prescription.

-Signs the patient's death certificate, listing the underlying terminal disease as the cause of death.

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Source:

Washington's "Death with Dignity" law.