HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1076

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care & Wellness

Title: An act relating to wound care management in occupational therapy.

Brief Description: Including wound care management in occupational therapy.

Sponsors: Representatives Moeller, Cody, Warnick, Green, Hinkle, Parker, Crouse, Kelley, Miloscia, Finn, Dammeier, Kenney and Harris.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 1/19/11, 1/31/11 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Allows Occupational Therapists to perform wound care management under certain circumstances.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Jinkins, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Hinkle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Clibborn, Green, Harris, Kelley, Moeller and Van De Wege.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

Occupational Therapy.

An Occupational Therapist is a person licensed by the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (Board) to practice occupational therapy. "Occupational therapy" is the scientifically-based use of purposeful activity that maximizes independence, prevents disability, and maintains the health of individuals who are limited by physical injury or illness, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, or the aging process. Examples of the practice of occupational therapy include:

Wound Care.

Statutory provisions relating to occupational therapy make no mention of whether wound care is within the scope of practice of Occupational Therapists or Occupational Therapy Assistants. In 2008 the Board issued an informal opinion stating occupational therapy includes wound care management and considered adopting an interpretive statement on wound care and sharp debridement. In 2010 the Attorney General issued an opinion concluding that sharp debridement is not included in the scope of practice for Occupational Therapists. The Attorney General's opinion did not address the issue of whether wound care in general is within the scope of practice. The Board subsequently determined not to adopt an interpretive statement on wound care and sharp debridement and instead encouraged the Department of Health to work with stakeholders to develop legislation to clarify the issue.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

Wound care management is made part of the scope of practice of an Occupational Therapist. An Occupational Therapist may provide wound care management under the referral and direction of a physician or other authorized health care provider. The referring provider must examine the patient prior to the referral.

"Wound care management" is defined as the part of occupational therapy treatment that facilitates healing, prevents edema, infection, and excessive scar formation, and minimizes wound complications. Wound care management includes:

In order to perform sharp debridement, an Occupational Therapist must have training in:

Training in debridement may be provided through continuing education, mentoring, co-treatment, and observation. An Occupational Therapist must consult with a referring provider if the wound exposes anatomic structures underlying the skin or if there is an obvious worsening of the condition or signs of infection.

In order to be authorized to perform wound care management, an Occupational Therapist must submit an affidavit to the Board attesting to his or her education and training. The Board must develop an affidavit form for these purposes. The requisite amount of training varies depending on the type of wound care management involved:

The education and training requirements may also be satisfied if the Occupational Therapist is certified as a hand therapist by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission or as a wound care specialist by the National Alliance of Wound Care or equivalent organization approved by the Board.

The Board and the Department of Health must adopt any rules necessary to implement the new requirements relating to wound care.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bills requires the Board and the Department of Health to adopt any rules necessary to implement the act.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill has been in development since 2007. Wound care has been part of the practice of occupational therapy for some time, but the authority has to be placed in statute due to an Attorney General Opinion. This legislation provides needed clarity with respect to what Occupational Therapists can and cannot do. When an Occupational Therapist sees a patient with a surgical or traumatic wound, it is impossible for the Occupational Therapist to perform his or her job without addressing the wounds.

(With concerns) It should be clarified that wound care does not include treatment of the eye.

(Opposed) This bill negatively affects patient safety. This bill authorizes Occupational Therapists to perform minor surgery. The Attorney General has already opined that wound care is not included in the practice of occupational therapy. The bill does not contain a clear definition of what type of wound may be treated. Decisions that must be made with respect to wounds take a lot of experience. In cases where there is an infection, misdiagnosis can be disastrous, especially since Occupational Therapists do not have the authority to prescribe antibiotics. Nurses and physicians have years of training in wound care; this bill only requires hours of training for Occupational Therapists.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Moeller, prime sponsor; Mark Gjurasic, JoAnn Keller Green, and Jim Bevier, Washington Occupational Therapy Association; and Melissa Johnson, Physical Therapy Association.

(With concerns) Brad Tower, Optometric Physicians of Washington.

(Opposed) Jim Richards, Washington Osteopathic Medical Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.