Hong Kong to allow upload of end-of-life treatment orders to eHealth platform
L'essentiel
Hong Kong will allow terminally ill patients to upload advance directives for life-sustaining treatments to the eHealth platform starting July 31, formalizing end-of-life care and offering clearer legal protection for patients and healthcare professionals under a new ordinance.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
The Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance was passed by lawmakers over 20 months ago, and this move formalizes its implementation by allowing advance medical directives to be uploaded to the eHealth platform.
Hongkongers will be able to upload orders specifying which life-sustaining treatments they do not wish to receive when terminally ill to the city’s electronic health record platform from next Friday, when the new law comes into effect.
The move marks a significant step in formalising end-of-life care arrangements, more than 20 months after the Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance was passed by lawmakers.
“This legislation is a milestone for Hong Kong’s end-of-life care,” Dr Doris Tse Man-wah, chairwoman of the Hospital Authority’s clinical ethics committee, said on Wednesday.
While advance medical directives and do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) orders – the two instruments key for end-of-life decisions – had been in place in public hospitals based on common law since 2010, Tse said the new ordinance provided clearer legal protection for both patients and healthcare professionals.
“The legislation could help rule out all uncertainties, and protect people who draft [the directives] as well as rescue personnel,” Tse said.
From July 31, patients who have drafted advance medical directives can have the images of the documents uploaded to the eHealth platform. The upload must be done by a registered doctor.
À surveiller
Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
Hongkongers will be able to upload advance directives to the eHealth platform.
Très probable · En quelques jours
Questions ouvertes
- How many patients will utilize the new upload feature initially?
- What specific challenges might arise during the initial implementation?
