Franciscan Health System will not participate in, nor facilitate in any way, physician-assisted suicide that will be permitted by Initiative 1000 which takes effect statewide March 4. The voter-approved measure allows hospitals, physicians and other health care providers to choose whether to participate or to opt out.

“Our position on this important issue is rooted in our faith tradition and belief that all life is sacred, from conception to death,” says Dianna Kielian, senior vice president of Mission for the Franciscan organization. “We are also guided by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, which do not condone physician-assisted suicide.

“Individuals from all walks of life entrust their care to the physicians, nurses and other highly skilled caregivers at the Franciscan Health System every day,” she added. “With our deep-seated reverence for life, we embrace our sacred duty to provide each person with the best care possible.”

Physician-assisted suicide will not be permitted at Franciscan Health System hospitals, medical clinics and other care facilities. Adults who wish to receive life-ending medication while a patient at a Franciscan facility will be told that the Franciscan organization does not participate in physician-assisted suicide. They will also be informed of Franciscan’s excellent care programs for the terminally ill. Patients who are determined to receive life-ending medications will be assisted in a transfer to another facility or health care provider of their choosing.

“We will respond to patients’ queries about life-ending medication with openness and compassion,” says Kielian. “Ultimately, our goal is to help our patients make informed decisions about end-of-life care.”

Franciscan Health System, which is the largest provider of in-home and inpatient hospice care in the state, will continue to focus on providing skilled care for terminally ill individuals through its hospice, pain and symptom management, and other end-of-life programs.

“We never strive to hasten death nor would we abandon the dying person,” says Mark Rake-Marona, director of hospice and palliative care for the Franciscan organization. “Our emphasis has been, and continues to be, on providing compassionate care for terminally ill individuals through our inpatient and in-home hospice service and other programs that benefit those nearing the end of their lives. We also offer spiritual care and bereavement support for our patients’ loved ones.”

Between July 2007 and June 2008, Franciscan served 2,259 home-based hospice patients and admitted 692 terminally ill individuals at its 20-bed inpatient hospice facility in University Place. Individuals with six months or less to live are eligible for hospice care.

“We have a passion for helping others,” Rake-Marona says. “The end of life can bring overwhelming changes and difficult decisions. There is no reason a person or a family should go through this time alone. We strive to be there to provide comfort and care when our patients and their loved ones need us the most.”

Franciscan’s end-of-life support for patients and their families also includes:

• Advance directives: Franciscan encourages people to complete advance directives to make their values and wishes known to their families and caregivers before they can no longer speak for themselves.
• Palliative Care Outreach: Franciscan’s Palliative Care Outreach program begins serving terminally ill individuals who are not yet eligible for hospice care. By integrating palliative care (i.e., pain and symptom management) with education, reliable support, and links to a broad range of community and health care resources, Franciscan reaches out to make sure the needs and desires of patients and their loved ones are heard, supported, and met.
• Palliative Care: Franciscan provides palliative care programs at its hospitals in Tacoma, Federal Way, Lakewood, Enumclaw and Gig Harbor to assist and support patients with terminal illness and their families. Also, its Palliative Medicine and Consultation Service is dedicated to providing effective pain and symptom relief in accordance with standards of the medical and nursing professions.
• Pastoral care and bereavement support: Franciscan staff recognizes that end-of-life situations can affect more than a patient’s physical condition. The emotional and spiritual health of terminally ill patients, their families and loved ones can also be deeply affected. That’s why the organization emphasizes care of the mind, body and spirit.

“Life has a natural beginning and ending that are determined by God,” says Kielian. “Our role as caregivers is to nurture and comfort those who are sick and dying, and to ensure that our patients have the best possible quality of remaining life. We respond to this sacred calling every day and we will continue to do so.”

Founded in 1891 by the Sisters of St. Francis, the Franciscan Health System includes St. Joseph Medical Center of Tacoma; St. Francis Hospital, Federal Way; St. Clare Hospital, Lakewood; Enumclaw Regional Hospital; St. Anthony Hospital, Gig Harbor; Franciscan Hospice House, University Place; and Franciscan Medical Group clinics in Pierce, King and Kitsap counties.

Franciscan is affiliated with Catholic Health Initiatives, one of the largest Catholic health systems in the U.S.