WSR 17-24-015
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
(Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission)
[Filed November 27, 2017, 4:34 p.m., effective January 1, 2018]
Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2018.
Purpose: WAC 246-840-015 Collection of demographic data at the time of licensure, the nursing care quality assurance commission (commission) adopted a rule to require all nurses to submit demographic data after initial licensure and during the renewal processes. Collection of nationally standardized demographic data elements allows analysis and evaluation of the current nursing workforce composition. Requiring licensees to provide standard minimum demographic data as part of licensure allows the commission to fully meet the intent of RCW 18.79.202, which is to safeguard and promote patient safety and quality of care by addressing the nursing shortage.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 246-840-015.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.79.110, 18.79.160, 18.79.202.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 17-16-129 on July 31, 2017.
A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Carole Reynolds, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, phone 360-236-4785, fax 360-236-4738, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email Carole.Reynolds@doh.wa.gov, web site https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/NursingCommission.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: November 27, 2017.
Paula R. Meyer MSN, RN, FRE
Executive Director, Nursing Commission
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-840-015 Requirement to submit demographic data.
Collecting and supplying demographic data for the nursing profession in Washington state is essential to answering the fundamental questions on supply, demand, and distribution of the nursing workforce.
(1) Applicants and licensees must complete all demographic data elements and attest to the completion of the data elements as part of their licensure requirements for:
(a) Licensed practical nurse as defined under WAC 246-840-010(22); or
(b) Registered nurse as defined under WAC 246-840-010(33).
(2) Advanced practice nurses do not have to complete additional demographic data. The demographic data is collected on their RN license.
(3) The commission shall verify compliance with this section during the continued competency audit process in WAC 246-840-230.