PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-100-202 Sexually transmitted diseases -- Duties and authorities, amending the rule to update the accepted treatment methods to prevent opthalmia neonatorum in infants.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.24.130.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule guides those attending births on how to treat the eyes of an infant in order to prevent opthalmia neonatorum caused by a gonoccocal infection. The current rule references an outdated department of social and health services policy statement from 1981. Stakeholders such as hospitals and healthcare providers have requested that department of health and state board of health revise the rule to reflect current practice standards.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Department of health.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Stakeholders such as hospitals, health care providers, the perinatal advisory committee, and others will be invited to participate in the rule-development process. For information on how to participate in the rule-making process please contact Bat-Sheva Stein, Public Health Nurse Consultant, Washington State Department of Health, P.O. Box 47880, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 236-3582, fax (360) 586-7868, e-mail bat-sheva.stein@doh.wa.gov.
November 21, 2008
Craig McLaughlin
Executive Director