ORS 127.815 §3.01. Attending physician responsibilities

The attending physician shall:

Make the initial determination of whether a patient has a terminal disease, is capable, and has made the request voluntarily;

To ensure that the patient is making an informed decision, inform the patient of:

His or her medical diagnosis;

His or her prognosis;

The potential risks associated with taking the medication to be prescribed;

The probable result of taking the medication to be prescribed; and

The feasible alternatives, including, but not limited to, comfort care, hospice care and pain control;

Refer the patient to a consulting physician for medical confirmation of the diagnosis, and for a determination that the patient is capable and acting voluntarily;

Refer the patient for counseling if appropriate pursuant to ORS 127.825;

Recommend that the patient notify next of kin;

Counsel the patient about the importance of having another person present when the patient takes the medication prescribed pursuant to ORS 127.800 to 127.897 and of not taking the medication in a public place;

Inform the patient that he or she has an opportunity to rescind the request at any time and in any manner, and offer the patient an opportunity to rescind at the time the patient makes the patient’s second oral request pursuant to ORS 127.840;

Verify, immediately prior to writing the prescription for medication under ORS 127.800 to 127.897, that the patient is making an informed decision;

Fulfill the medical record documentation requirements of ORS 127.855;

Ensure that all appropriate steps are carried out in accordance with ORS 127.800 to 127.897 prior to writing a prescription for medication to enable a qualified patient to end his or her life in a humane and dignified manner; and

Dispense medications directly, including ancillary medications intended to facilitate the desired effect to minimize the patient’s discomfort, provided the attending physician is registered as a dispensing physician with the Oregon Medical Board, has a current Drug Enforcement Administration certificate and complies with any applicable administrative rule; or

With the patient’s written consent:

Contact a pharmacist and inform the pharmacist of the prescription; and

Deliver the written prescription personally or by mail to the pharmacist, who will dispense the medications to either the patient, the attending physician or an expressly identified agent of the patient.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the attending physician may sign the patient’s report of death.