WSR 18-06-007

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed February 22, 2018, 4:37 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-919-XXX allopathic physicians and 246-918-XXX allopathic physician assistants, the medical quality assurance commission (commission) is considering creating two new rule sections that will establish a clinical assistance program to resolve practice deficiencies that may not rise to the level of a license sanction or revocation through a plan of education, training, and/or supervision for allopathic physicians and physician assistants. The commission will consider amending other related rules as needed.

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 is considering creating two new rule sections, and revising related rule sections as appropriate, to establish a clinical support program (program), its criteria and procedures for allopathic physicians and physician assistants. The intent of the program is to assist practitioners with practice deficiencies related to consistent standards of practice and establish continuing competency mechanisms that will protect patients proactively through a plan of education, training and/or supervision. The commission may resolve practice deficiencies through the program at any point in a practitioner's period of licensure.

The program would allow for quick identification of issues requiring clinical support, through practitioner or employer inquiry, referral, and including complaints that may not rise to the level of a license sanction or revocation. These issues could be resolved with voluntary participation from the allopathic physician or physician assistant in the program. The commission is considering education, training, supervision, or a combination of the three as part of the program. Issues appropriate for clinical support would likely include but are not limited to practice deficiencies such as a failure to properly conduct a patient assessment or document treatment. This also allows an allopathic physician or physician assistant a structured process to quickly improve his or her clinical skills.

Finally, participation in this program places the commission in an active patient safety role.

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 by contacting Daidria Amelia Underwood, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, phone 360-236-2727, fax 360-236-2795, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email daidria.underwood@doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested persons may sign up for the commission's interested parties list (GovDelivery) at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. All commission rule-making notices will be emailed via GovDelivery and interested parties will be invited to participate in public rule meetings and submit written comments for consideration.

February 22, 2018

Melanie de Leon

Executive Director