WSR 20-09-017
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
[Filed April 3, 2020, 3:32 p.m.]
ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
20-01
Hospital Reporting to Regional Health Care Coalitions
WHEREAS, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has issued Proclamation 20-05, subsequently amended, proclaiming a statewide state of emergency due to an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States and community spread of COVID-19 in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, Modeling predicts a surge of the number of serious COVID-19 cases in Washington state, for which the health care system must prepare to care; and
WHEREAS, The health care system is facing unprecedented stress related to the COVID-19 response impacting staff availability, supplies, and space; and
WHEREAS, Facilities and providers will need to maximize surge within the health care system and ensure that the most critical healthcare capabilities are available for those in most need; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive and current information about hospitals' bed capacity, staffing, supplies, equipment, and other resources is critical for assessing health system readiness and developing plans for securing and allocating health care resources as demand for health care services increases throughout the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Wiesman, Washington State Secretary of Health, as a result of the above-noted situation, and under RCW 43.70.130(7), 43.70.170, 70.05.070(3), and any other applicable authority, do hereby order the following:
Every hospital in this state licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW shall report to the health care coalition in the hospital's region any data or information that is requested by such health care coalition or the Department of Health, including, but not limited to, data or information related to bed capacity, staffing, supplies, equipment, and any similar matter. The health care coalitions and the Department of Health shall make reasonable efforts to consult with hospitals and the Washington State Hospital Association in developing reporting requests and requirements. Data or information may be requested to be reported at the individual hospital level when that level of detail is important to the response, as determined by the Department of Health or health care coalitions. Requests from coalitions to hospitals for data or information shall be uniform across the state, including with respect to time, means, and frequency, except where an individual coalition identifies a specific regional need requiring a deviation in reporting requests.
The health care coalitions shall share this data with the Department of Health, hospitals that reported data or information to a health care coalition, local public health jurisdictions, and the Washington State Hospital Association. The Department of Health may share the data with appropriate federal agencies involved in the COVID-19 response to aid in improving Washington's response. The health care coalitions to which this order applies are the Northwest Healthcare Response Network, for western Washington, the Regional Emergency and Disaster (REDi) Healthcare Coalition, for eastern Washington, and the Region IV Healthcare Preparedness Alliance, for southwest Washington.
This order shall not be construed to require hospitals to report proprietary, commercial, trade secret, or other business-related information that is not reasonably related to the purpose and intent of this order. The health care coalitions, Washington State Hospital Association, and hospitals shall use and disclose the data and information acquired pursuant to this order only to the extent necessary to accomplish the purpose and intent of this order or to otherwise protect the public's health. The restrictions in the preceding sentence do not apply to a hospital's use and disclosure of its own reported data and information.
This order shall take effect immediately and remain in effect until rescinded or superseded by a subsequent order of the Secretary of Health or until the Governor issues a proclamation declaring the termination of the state of emergency declared by Proclamation 20-05, as amended by subsequent amendatory proclamations, whichever is earlier.
Signed this 2nd day of April, 2020.
John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH
Secretary of Health