Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-922-001 Scope of practice (to include certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) as appropriate practitioners to independently administer general or spinal anesthetic to podiatric patients).

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.22.015, 18.22.035.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: WAC 246-922-001 requires physicians licensed under chapters 18.71 and 18.57 RCW to supervise nonphysicians administering general or spinal anesthesia to podiatric patients. October 8, 2003, Governor Locke exercised Washington's authority to exempt CRNAs from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rules. CRNA's statute enables them to administer anesthesia without physician supervision (RCW 18.79.240 (1)(r)). The podiatry rule does not reflect the exemption. This has affected surgical settings where a CRNA is the only provider available to administer anesthesia. Amending the rule is the only option available to implement the exemption.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Arlene Robertson, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, office (360) 236-4945, fax (360) 236-2406, arlene.robertson@doh.wa.gov. Interested parties will be notified via listserv and surface mail when and how they can participate in the public rule-writing workshops.

March 6, 2006

Blake T. Maresh

Executive Director

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office