This quality improvement project sought to reduce delays related to medical system factors that might result in lost time or opportunities for patients seeking Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) via the neurology clinic.

A defined referral process was created for the 3-appointment sequence outlined for MAID in state law.  Weekly frozen appointments were designated to help reduce wait times for these patients. All faculty neurologists received education regarding the state laws, institutional policies, and the new departmental process for MAID. Chart review was completed for patients seeking MAID in the pre- and post-intervention groups.  Neurologists completing the training were also surveyed regarding their understanding of the process and policies both prior to and after the training.

While the average time from appointment request to appointment occurrence was not significantly different between the pre- and post-intervention groups, there was a trend toward fewer nonstandard appointments (overbooks and add-ons) following the intervention. These measures also helped to formalize the MAID process within our neurology department, leading to improved administrative handling of appointments, and enhanced neurologist understanding of MAID, as demonstrated by self-reported scales.