FAQ About VSED

Join our colleagues from MN Hospice as we discuss VSED and what to know!

If you're unable to join us in person, please consider joining us online:

VSED Education

Monday, May 18 · 4:00 – 6:00pm

Time zone: America/Chicago

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ude-eobe-szs

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 218-481-1735‬ PIN: ‪762 882 306‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ude-eobe-szs?pin=8476263120043

About our Guests: Allison Oja, MS, CT, MHt

Director of Education and Community Support

Allison holds a Master of Science in Thanatology from Marian University and bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Religion. She is board certified in Thanatology and trained in hypnotherapy and Reiki. Through education, outreach, and compassionate guidance, Allison is committed to normalizing conversations around death and dying and helping individuals feel more informed, supported, and empowered.

Anna Dudzik, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, ACHPN

Director of Nurse Practitioners

Anna is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Minnesota. She began her career in geriatric primary care before joining Minnesota Hospice in 2022. Anna is passionate about hospice’s whole-person approach and is dedicated to helping each patient achieve comfort and quality of life through thoughtful symptom management and personalized care.

Objectives:

• Define VSED and describe what happens physically in the early, middle, and late stages of the process, and the typical timeline for completing VSED.

• Describe at least three common symptoms during VSED and describe options for patient relief.

• Summarize the legal and ethical considerations supporting a capacitated person’s right to choose VSED.

• Explain both advantages and challenges of VSED as an end-of-life choice.

• List two items of documentation that should be completed before hospice admission and start of VSED.