State: Preprare for ‘Our Care, Our Choice’

HONOLULU — The state Department of Health is advising health care organizations statewide to prepare for the Jan. 1 effective date of the “Our Care, Our Choice Act,” which allows adult residents with a medically confirmed terminal disease and less than six months to live the choice to obtain a prescription for medication to end their life.

The DOH, guided by an advisory group, is working with the community to establish a process which assures the patient experience is optimal and that patients and their family members fully understand all end-of-life care options.

The DOH is requesting health care providers statewide anticipate patient needs and develop policies and procedures that assure patients are fully aware and informed of alternative treatments such as palliative care and hospice care, as well as workflows that support timely referrals, effective clinical standards, clinician support and clear communication.