Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-853 WAC, Osteopathic physicians and surgeons, the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery (board) is considering establishing new rules to regulate the provision of anesthesia in a dental setting.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board will consider rule making to address the practice of osteopathic physicians and surgeons providing anesthesia to patients in a dental setting. The Washington medical commission (WMC) recently adopted dental anesthesia rules. The board works to remain consistent with WMC rules, as osteopathic physicians and allopathic physicians provide care in the same settings. Regulating the provision of anesthesia in a dental setting would place the board in an active patient safety role. Furthermore, striving for consistency with WMC makes rules easier for licensees to understand and comply with in the complex health care regulatory environment.

Possible subjects the board may address are effective perioperative communication, appropriate charting, appropriate equipment, recovery and discharge requirements, emergency care, and reporting adverse events. The board may also consider other subjects pertaining to the provision of anesthesia in a dental setting that arise during stakeholder work.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tracie Drake, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, phone 360-236-4766, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email tracie.drake@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: To join the interested parties email list, please visit https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new?topic_id=WADOH_153.