PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
(Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: New chapter 246-840 WAC, Telenursing.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.79.110.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Nursing Commission is concerned regarding the number of advisory opinions being requested and the need for technical assistance in the area of telenursing. The nursing scope of practice allows nurses to advise and teach patients about health maintenance and symptom management. It does not allow following a protocol that has the nurses in the position of forming a medical diagnosis and then implementing an order for a prescription medication. Because there is much confusion regarding when is telenursing within the scope of practice and when is it beyond, the Nursing Commission feels that a rule should be developed which will adequately explain to the nurses so as to avoid possible disciplinary action.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: The Nursing Commission will hold several open rules writing workshops to work with students, nurses and facilities to write a rule. Following the workshops a public rules hearing will be held to take additional input. All persons on the interested persons mailing list, schools and targeted facilities will be contacted to participate in this open public process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Terry J. West, Health Administrator, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 236-4712, fax (360) 236-4738.
April 27, 1999
Paula R. Meyer, RN, MSN
Executive Director