Richmond, VA - The opening session of the Virginia General Assembly included an announcement by Republican Del. Robert G. Marshall that he will introduce legislation to strike "persistent vegetative state" from definitions of terminal illness used to guide end-of-life decision making. He may also introduce legislation that would require a court order for patients wishing to forego tube feeding. Marshall led efforts to prevent the removal of Hugh Finn’s feeding tube last fall. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Marshall told the legislature that he is tired of "this law being abused to put innocent people to death." Democratic Delegate George W. Grayson countered by saying, "Michele Finn showed uncommon courage from which we can learn two lessons: First, elected officials should never take political advantage of family calamities. Second, no matter our age, we should set forth in writing our wishes about end-of-life medical treatment." ABCD will keep members informed of any proposed legislation, and urges Virginians to voice their concerns to their delegates.
Washington, DC - Hospice Foundation of America has issued the second edition of A Guide to Recalling and Telling Your Life Story, a guide and workbook to help people write their life stories. The book includes information on how to get started, organize one’s thoughts, deal with difficult memories, and enlist the help of others. The Guide features helpful sections to prompt readers and writers, from details about one’s early life to family traditions to information about marriages, careers, and retirement. Order the guide for $15.00 from the Hospice Foundation of America at 1.800.854.3402 or on the web at www.hospicefoundation.org.
On the Web - Be sure to visit Talaria: The Hypermedia Assistant for Cancer Pain Management, at www.statsci.com/talaria/talariahome.html. The site offers a hypermedia implementation of the AHCPR Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Cancer Pain, as well as interactive tools for health care providers, multimedia instructional tools, and the complete text of Current and Emerging Issues in Cancer Pain: Research and Practice, edited by C.Richard Chapman, Ph.D. and Kathleen Foley, M.D.
Last Acts has begun publication of its online quarterly, Innovations in End-of-Life Care, a peer-reviewed publication that will highlight successful programs. The first issue features the "Respecting Your Choices" project led by Dr. Bud Hammes of Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, WI. Hammes and his colleagues developed an innovative advance directive program in their community. Work of the Gundersen IHI team was featured in the September 1998 issue of Exchange. To read more about the La Crosse program, visit Innovations at www.edc.org/lastacts/crntisue.html.
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