Both she and Dr. Byock noted that other changes now being made on a systemic basis to address the issue. There are better medications available now and more educational programs. It also joined forces with the Medic Alert Foundation to provide a mechanism whereby people can alert health professionals to the existence of a directive making their care preferences known. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is investigating ways to make hospitals more accountable for better pain relief. What is needed, she said, is a national watchdog organization to advocate for the care of the dying.
Adequate palliation is crucially important.
The law has never gone into effect, due to legal challenges. The Legislature there voted recently to send the issue back to voters, in the form of an initiative, in November. Both he and Thomas A. Preston, MD, a Seattle cardiologist and a plaintiff in one of the cases before the high court, say they were pleased with the court's ruling. I think they were genuinely trying to protect the interests of both sides. We'd better keep thinking about this and keep it open.