HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 237

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Cantwell, Brooks, Braddock, Ballard, Scott, P. King, Kremen and Unsoeld; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Changing provisions relating to emergency medical services.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (9)

     Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Bristow, Brooks, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lux, D. Sommers and Sprenkle.

House Staff:Bill Hagens (786-7131)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 2, 1987

BACKGROUND:

RCW 18.73 is the state statute that defines and controls the development and implementation of emergency medical services in this state.  It was first passed in 1973 and has gone through minor revisions in the last thirteen years.  During this period, the EMS program has expanded in definition and complexity, both at the state and federal level.  The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is proposing revision to reflect current concepts in EMS programs in the state.

SUMMARY:

The respective roles and responsibilities of the local medicine program director, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the local emergency medical services council, and the regional emergency medical services council are clarified.

The statutory training requirements for emergency medical technicians and advanced first aid responders are deleted to allow for easier compliance with national standards.  Greater flexibility for considering variances is permitted provided that public health is not affected.

The periodic ambulance inspection requirement is replaced with a self-inspection program, with on-site inspection as necessary.  (The department's EMS program staff have found that local EMS programs have consistently exceeded state requirements.)

Additional changes are made throughout the statute to reflect current emergency medical services concepts.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  Clarifies medical protocols.  Extends immunity protections to poison center personnel.

Fiscal Note:    No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Susie Tracy, Washington State Medical Association and Washington Ambulance Association; Rex Lindquist, Washington State Council of Firefighters; Pete Spiller, Fire Districts and Howard Farley, Department of Social and Health Services.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     Updates in statute are needed.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.