WSR 16-18-081

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed September 6, 2016, 9:39 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapters 246-919 and 246-918 WAC, the medical quality assurance commission (commission) is considering establishing a technical assistance program to address standards of practice issues/deficiencies through a plan of education, training, and/or supervision for allopathic physicians and physician assistants.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.71.017, 18.71.002, and 18.130.050.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commission's proposed technical assistance program would allow quick identification of issues that may not rise to the level of a license sanction or revocation. These types of issues could be resolved with voluntary participation from the allopathic physician or physician assistant in the program. The program would require additional education, training, voluntary alteration of practice methods, supervision, or a combination of the three. Appropriate issues would likely include but are not limited to practice deficiencies such as a failure to properly conduct a patient assessment, document treatment, or prescribe medication.

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 rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties may participate in the development of draft rules prior to a formal proposal by joining the commission's listserv, attending workshops, and providing input on draft and proposed materials. Interested parties can receive information on how to participate by contacting Daidria Underwood, Program Manager, Medical Quality Assurance Commission, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, phone (360) 236-2727, fax (360) 236-2795, e-mail daidria.underwood@doh.wa.gov.

September 6, 2016

Melanie de Leon

Executive Director