WSR 16-12-038

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed May 25, 2016, 10:16 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-840-730 and 246-840-750 through 246-840-780 and related sections. The nursing care quality assurance commission (NCQAC) is considering revisions to existing rules to reflect current best practices regarding substance use disorder monitoring and to update the mandatory reporting rule that might be discouraging voluntary participation in monitoring.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.79.010, 18.79.110, 18.130.070, 18.130.175.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule making would allow NCQAC to update rules to reflect current best practices instead of leaving out of date practices in the rules. Rule making would also allow NCQAC to update information to align with the secretary rules. Rule making would also allow the NCQAC to use evidence-based national standards in the substance use monitoring program and which must be in rule to be enforced. Rule making will also allow NCQAC to update all the mandatory reporting rule[s] to make ensure [sure] they reflect best practices and encourage early and voluntary entry into substance use monitoring before a patient is harmed.

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 Carole Reynolds, Washington State Nursing Commission, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, phone (360) 236-4785, fax (360) 236-4738, Carole.Reynolds@doh.wa.gov. The NCQAC will notify stakeholders of the rule making by posting the information on the department of health web site and sending notification on the NCQAC listserv. NCQAC will hold stakeholder meetings across the state while developing rules. NCQAC will hold a webinar during each stakeholder meeting to increase access.

May 24, 2016

Paula R. Meyer MSN, RN, FRE

Executive Director, NCQAC