PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
(Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-840 WAC creating a new section for the early remediation program.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.79.110, 18.130.050.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The nursing care quality assurance commission has a backlog of pending investigations. The early remediation program allows quick identification of complaints of a less serious nature. Resolution of these cases occurs with voluntary participation from the nurse in obtaining additional education, training and monitoring. Appropriate complaints include clinical practice deficiency, no patient harm but potential for harm and substandard care that is not willful misconduct. New rules will establish a process for the program, which is currently in policy.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None known.
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 by contacting Terry J. West, terry.west@doh.wa.gov, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504. Public rules writing sessions are planned using the list serve that will allow participation throughout Washington state.
December 21, 2009
Paula R. Meyer, MSN, RN
Executive Director