ExCEL Committee Meeting

Tuesday, May 6^th

Minutes

Members present:  Tim Thompson, David Babbot, Diana Peirce, Marilyn Hart, John Campbell, Judy Murphy  VMS staff present:  Jessa Block, Madeleine Mongan

Announcements: 

¨              Hospice and Palliative Care Council of Vermont Conference will have ExCEL

palliative care meetings Thursday, June 12^th and Friday, June 13^th at Lake Morey.     

It is particularly important that people try to attend the 8am-12 pm meeting on Friday. 

¨              Madeleine Mongan attending the National Association of Attorneys General   

            Conference on Improving End of Life Care, May 16-17

Handouts:

¨               Comprehensive End-of-Life Care and Physician-Assisted Suicide Position  

             Statement of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

¨                Effectiveness of Vermont Advanced Directives concept paper – Vermont Ethics

              Network

1.  Discussion of DNR initiatives and how to study and coordinate community initiatives
   1. Diana Peirce and Hospice trying to do a review of Vermont experience
   2. Discussion of current status of DNR advanced directives – patient must have a doctor sign – EMTs taught to honor this – patient must carry, post, etc the form

Action steps:

3. Discussion of having Paul Jarris, Commissioner of Health, to come to a meeting to discuss a state-wide plan; should also try to have a meeting with New Hampshire, Hospice and the Vermont Medical Society (VMS) to discuss coordination

2. Assisted Suicide Discussion
   1. Summary of April 26^th VMS Council Meeting

                                                               i.      Discussed whether to keep 1997 position statement on assisted suicide or adopt 2003 ExCEL proposal

                                                             ii.      Decided to keep 1997 position for now (tabled 2003 draft), do educational forums with physicians and medical student around the state this summer and fall, and decide on a new position at the October 2003 Annual VMS Meeting

2. Discussion of ExCEL position statements – trying to be neutral since there

       are very strong opinions on both sides of the issue

Action Steps:

c.      J. Fogarty, who will be moderating the forms, should bring copies of proposed legislation to forums so people can discuss specifics

3. Palliative Care Commission Bill
   1. there was a bill introduced this session in legislature to form a “palliative 

       care commission”

2. Diana Peirce drafted a letter to legislators explaining that there is already a coalition in the state working on palliative care (ExCEL).  Diana thinks that ExCEL could expand membership to meet the goals of the 1997 ExCEL policy and to meet the goals of this proposed legislation

Action Steps:

3. have further discussion at June Lake Morey Meeting
4. join with Rallying Points or other organizations to pursue funding and strengthen the coalition
5. expand membership

                            i.      letter is currently being sent to members of: nursing homes, hospitals, Department of Aging and Disabilities, nursing schools, medical schools, Vermont Project for Quality in Healthcare, COVE

                            ii.      need people to be willing to make follow-up calls to these groups – contact Madeleine or Jessa at 800-640-8767 if you have contacts in these organizations

6. invite Paul Jarris, Commissioner of Health, and member of the Attorney General’s Office to September ExCEL meeting to discuss how the State can support ExCEL’s efforts

4. Other Business

1. John Campell and the Vermont Ethics Network are trying to evaluate how advanced directives are working in Vermont and trying to implement an evaluative project.  He handed out the concept paper outlining the goals of this project.  There will be a meeting with the Department of Aging and Disabilities on June 3^rd from 11am-1 pm if people are interested.
2. Tim Thompson has had a request from Joe Jacobs at PATH to start discussing ways to address end-of-life needs in the criminal justice system.
3. Need more attendance at the June 12^th and 13^th Lake Morey Conference.  Possibly should direct more content directly to physicians next year

Email: mail@vpqhc.org
Phone: 802.229.2152
Fax: 802.229.5098

Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, Inc.
132 Main Street, P.O. Box 1356, Montpelier, VT 05601