State work
Making Montana the best last place
Our work to improve end-of-life care expands beyond Missoula County. Life's End Institute is currently involved in a number of statewide initiatives. In our statewide work we use the same methodology we have used locally - building strong partnerships so that together, better care is achieved.
Our current Montana initiatives include:
Montana Palliative Care Summit
In December 2004, more than 50 individuals from around Montana met for the first Montana Palliative Care Summit. Individuals represented hospital-based palliative care programs, hospice programs, long-term care facilities, the Attorney General’s office, the State Board of Nursing, Mountain Pacific Quality Health Foundation (the Quality Improvement Organization for Montana), and others. Life's End Institute, working with representatives from four regional medical centers in Montana, planned and convened the summit. Planning for the 2005 Summit is currently underway.
Pain and Symptom Management
The 2005 Montana Legislature, passed joint resolution SJ28 which establishes a statewide Pain and Symptom Management Task Force to assess pain and symptom management practices in Montana and make appropriate policy and educational recommendations. Life's End Institute is working in conjunction with the American Cancer Society to develop the task force and to undertake statewide assessments.
Montana Choices Bank
Life's End Institute was the driving force behind HB742, a bill passed by the 2005 Montana Legislature. This bill charges Montana’s Attorney General with the task of creating a secure web-based repository for advance directives such as living wills or powers of attorney for healthcare. This repository will give Montanans the protection of knowing that their written healthcare choices can be found when needed. Life's End Institute’s local Choices Bank is the model on which the statewide registry will be based.