WSR 16-08-106
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
(Medical Quality Assurance Commission)
[Filed April 5, 2016, 11:58 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 14-21-030.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: New WAC 246-919-435 Training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management for allopathic physicians.
Hearing Location(s): Capital Event Center, ESD 113, Cowlitz Room, 6005 Tyee Drive S.W., Tumwater, WA 98512, on May 11, 2016, at 1:00 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: May 11, 2016.
Submit Written Comments to: Daidria Pittman, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, e-mail http://www3.doh.wa.gov/policyreview/, fax (360) 236-4626, by May 4, 2016.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Daidria Pittman by May 6, 2016, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The medical quality assurance commission (commission) had begun rule making after the legislature passed chapter 71, Laws of 2014 (ESHB 2315). This bill requires allopathic physicians (among other professions) to complete a one-time, six-hour training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. Chapter 249, Laws of 2015 (ESHB 1424) revised the requirement date and the proposed rule incorporates that change as well. The proposed rule also incorporates an allowance in ESHB 1424 for the commission to define licensed physicians who are exempt from the training.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed rules implement suicide prevention training as required in ESHB 2315 as well as ESHB 1424. It is the legislative intent that these rules will help lower the suicide rate in Washington by requiring allopathic physicians to complete training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management as part of their continuing education requirements.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.71.017.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 43.70.442 and 18.71.080.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Medical quality assurance commission, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Daidria Pittman, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-2727; Implementation and Enforcement: Melanie de Leon, 111 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-2755.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Under RCW 19.85.025 and 34.05.310 (4)(d), a small business economic impact statement is not required for proposed rules that only clarify the language of a rule without changing its effect.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Daidria Pittman, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, phone (360) 236-2727, fax (360) 236-2795, e-mail daidria.pittman@doh.wa.gov.
April 5, 2016
Melanie de Leon
Executive Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-919-435 Training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management.
(1) A licensed physician, other than a resident holding a limited license issued under RCW 18.71.095(3), must complete a one-time training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. The training must be at least six hours in length and may be completed in one or more sessions.
(2) The training must be completed by the end of the first full continuing education reporting period after January 1, 2016, or during the first full continuing education period after initial licensure, whichever occurs later. The commission accepts training completed between June 12, 2014, and January 1, 2016, that meets the requirements of RCW 43.70.442 as meeting the one-time training requirement.
(3) Until July 1, 2017, the commission must approve the training. The commission will approve an empirically supported training in suicide assessment, suicide treatment, and suicide management that meets the requirements of RCW 43.70.442.
(4) Beginning July 1, 2017, the training must be on the model list developed by the department of health under RCW 43.70.442. The establishment of the model list does not affect the validity of training completed prior to July 1, 2017.
(5) The hours spent completing training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management count toward meeting applicable continuing education requirements in the same category specified in WAC 246-919-460.
(6) The commission may exempt a licensed physician from the training requirements of this section if the physician has only brief or limited patient contact, or no patient contact. Brief or limited patient contact or no patient contact means the physician:
(a) Engages exclusively in analysis and interpretation of laboratory or imaging studies that do not require direct patient interaction;
(b) Engages exclusively in research or administrative activities that do not involve direct patient interaction; or
(c) Is not engaged in the direct delivery of patient care.