Oregon Code § 127.815·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
§3.01.
Attending physician responsibilities.
(1) The attending physician shall:
(a) Make the
initial determination of whether a patient has a terminal disease, is capable,
and has made the request voluntarily;
(b) To ensure
that the patient is making an informed decision, inform the patient of:
(A) His or her
medical diagnosis;
(B) His or her
prognosis;
(C) The potential
risks associated with taking the medication to be prescribed;
(D) The probable
result of taking the medication to be prescribed; and
(E) The feasible
alternatives, including, but not limited to, comfort care, hospice care and
pain control;
(c) 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;
(d) Refer the
patient for counseling if appropriate pursuant to ORS 127.825;
(e) Recommend
that the patient notify next of kin;
(f) 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;
(g) 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 patients second oral request pursuant to ORS 127.840;
(h) Verify,
immediately prior to writing the prescription for medication under ORS 127.800
to 127.897, that the patient is making an informed decision;
(i) Fulfill the
medical record documentation requirements of ORS 127.855;
(j) 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
(k)(A) Dispense
medications directly, including ancillary medications intended to facilitate
the desired effect to minimize the patients 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
(B) With the
patients written consent:
(i) Contact a
pharmacist and inform the pharmacist of the prescription; and
(ii) 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.
(2)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the attending physician may sign
the patients report of death. [1995 c.3 §3.01; 1999 c.423 §3; 2013 c.366 §62;
2019 c.624 §1; 2023 c.241 §3]
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses §3.01.
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Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 127.815
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
Frequently Asked Questions
This section of Oregon law addresses §3.01.
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